(Martensdale) Winfield Mount-Union outscored Audubon 16-0 in the 3rd quarter and earned a 68-36 Week 0 victory on Saturday in a game played at Martendsale-St. Marys.
Iowa commit Cam Buffington ran for 273 yards and tallied five scores on the ground in the season opening win for the Wolves. He also found the end zone on an interception return and kickoff return.
Audubon grabbed a brief lead with an Aaron Olsen 20 yard pass to Evan Alt late in the first half and led 24-22 at the break. It capped off a back and forth first half that saw Winfield-Mount Union strike first. On Audubon’s first drive of the game, Cam Buffington picked off a pass and ran it back 46 yards for a touchdown.
The Wheelers tied the game with an 11 yard TD run from Olsen early in the 2nd quarter. A Buffington 16 yard run midway through the frame put Winfield-Mount Union in front 16-8. Manny Beisswenger took the ensuing kickoff back 77 yards for a score to tie the game at 16-16 with 6:44 left in the half.
Both teams scored with less than a minute to go before the break. Buffington ran in from 16 yards out to make it 22-16 with :34 left in the 2nd. Audubon’s TD pass from Olsen to Alt took place with :16 remaining in the half. It was followed by a successful 2-point conversion on a shovel pass to Manny Beisswenger to put the Wheelers in front for the first time.
Winfield-Mount Union controlled the 3rd quarter. Not only did the Wolves score on their first two drives offensively, but their defense posted back-to-back three and outs. It helped turned a 24-22 deficit into a 38-24 lead. Abram Edwards scored on a five yard run and Buffington added a 36 yard scoring run.
The scoring opened up in the 4th quarter, but Audubon was never able to get any closer than within 46-30. Buffington notched TD runs from 20 and 59 yards along with a 39 yard kick return TD. Edwards added a 51 yard TD catch. The 6’5”, 205 pound target ended up with 67 yards receiving on three catches and 42 yards rushing on seven carries. Evan Alt reversed field with 6:51 left in the game to find the end zone on a 29 yard run. Winfield-Mount Union stretched the final margin to 68-36 thanks to a Caleb Giese blocked punt that resulted in safety.
Audubon posted 106 rushing yards, with 76 from Aaron Olsen. Olsen was 5/10 through the air for 56 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Cam Buffington and Cooper Buffington both picked off a pass for the Wolves. Manny Beisswenger led Audubon in receiving with three grabs for 32 yards. Gavin Larsen had 15 tackles and Cooper Nielsen had 11.
Winfield-Mount Union rumbled for 390 yards on the ground and 110 through the air. Buffington averaged 10.92 yards per carry and ran 25 times. Quarterback Cole Milks added 50 rushing yards on 11 tries. Buffington was the leading tackler with 13 stops.
The Wheelers oppose SE Warren in Week 1. Winfield-Mount Union’s next opponent is Moravia.
