This story was reported and all photos were taken by Paul Shepard. Caption for above photo: Centerpoint running back Ely Welch breaks free for an 11-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, cutting Smackover’s lead to 18- 28.

Centerpoint celebrated homecoming Friday, Oct. 9, but the festivities weren’t enough to slow down the Smackover Buckaroos, who defeated the Knights 48-20.

Smackover unleashed a run-oriented offense that piled up 314 yards on the ground, combined with an efficient passing attack that added another 142 yards.

The Buckaroos scored on their first four possessions and built a 28-6 lead before Centerpoint rallied to pull within eight points by halftime. But Smackover shut out the Knights in the second half to secure the victory.

Centerpoint won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. On the Knights’ first offensive play, quarterback Tony Valdez found an open Carson Cook for a 64-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion failed, giving Centerpoint an early 6-0 lead.

Unfortunately, that would be one of only a few highlights of the night for the home team.

The Buckaroos responded with a 50-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra-point kick was good, giving Smackover a 7-6 lead.

Smackover recovered a Centerpoint fumble on the Knights’ next possession and capitalized with a 9-yard touchdown pass, extending its lead to 14-6 with about seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Centerpoint’s Levi Wright returned the ensuing kickoff to the Knights’ 36-yard line. Unable to move the ball, Centerpoint attempted a punt, but it was partially blocked. A Smackover player recovered the ball and carried it into the end zone, giving the Buckaroos a 21-6 lead with 4:15 remaining in the quarter.

Jayden Tyrrell returned the next kickoff to the Centerpoint 44-yard line. The Knights again struggled offensively and attempted to convert a fourth down near midfield, but Smackover’s defense held.

The Buckaroos then mounted another scoring drive, converting two fourth-down attempts along the way. The possession ended with a touchdown pass from about 6 yards out, extending Smackover’s lead to 28-6 with 9:38 remaining in the first half.

Things were looking bleak for Centerpoint, but the Knights weren’t finished.

Centerpoint took the next kickoff and put together a 68-yard drive, capped by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Valdez to Ely Welch. The 2-point conversion failed, leaving Smackover ahead 28-12 with about five minutes remaining in the half.

The Knights then caught the Buckaroos off guard with an onside kick by Valdez. Queon Best recovered the ball near midfield, giving Centerpoint another opportunity.

The Knights used about three minutes to move the ball to the Smackover 11-yard line, where Welch broke free for a touchdown run. Hayden Dodson successfully ran in the 2-point conversion, cutting the Buckaroos’ lead to 28-20 with two minutes remaining before halftime.

Each team had another possession in the closing minutes of the half, but neither scored, leaving Smackover with a 28-20 advantage at the break.

The Buckaroos received the second-half kickoff and, despite a holding penalty, put together a 45-yard scoring drive. A 9-yard touchdown pass extended Smackover’s lead to 35-20 with 10:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Wright returned the ensuing kickoff to near the Centerpoint 40-yard line, but the Knights were unable to sustain a drive and punted.

Smackover began moving the ball again, but Centerpoint’s defense forced a punt with 8:58 remaining in the third quarter. Neither team scored again before the fourth quarter.

Early in the final period, the Knights appeared poised to narrow the deficit when Welch broke loose for a long run to the Smackover 25-yard line.

On third down, Valdez connected with Welch on a pass that moved the ball to the Buckaroos’ 5-yard line for a first down.

But Smackover’s defense stiffened, stopping Centerpoint on fourth down just a yard short of the goal line. The Buckaroos took possession with less than eight minutes remaining.

Smackover went on to score twice in the fourth quarter, putting the game out of reach and securing the 48-20 victory.

With the win, the Buckaroos improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Centerpoint fell to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

The Knights finished with 326 yards of total offense. Valdez completed 12 of 20 passes for approximately 220 yards and two touchdowns.

Centerpoint will travel to face the Cossatot River Eagles on Friday, Oct. 16. The Eagles are winless at 0-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play during their first season of football.