“We could’ve done better.”

 

This sentiment by return man Cameron Peters is something all the Buffaloes were thinking after their heartbreaking loss to Apache Junction last Friday night.

 

The Buffaloes rallied back from a 24-8 deficit to cut it to 24-20 with 50 seconds left. It was 4th-and-10 and the game came down to this play. Quarterback Nathan Clayton dropped back and aired it out. Pass incomplete. So was the Buffaloes comeback.

 

When the Buffaloes needed to make the big play they couldn’t. Execution has been a problem all year for them as their 8.4 ppg is evident to that.

 

Coach Brian Walker wants to get back to the fundamentals, and re-establish a foundation. He doesn’t want the players feeling sorry for themselves or becoming complacent.

 

“The biggest thing is to trust the process,” Walker said. “It’s easy to get caught up in the losses. We just got to get back to being fundamentally sound from top to bottom, in the way that we coach and having it trickle down to the kids.”

 

If the (0-5) Buffaloes want to defeat the (1-3) Combs Coyotes Friday at 7 p.m, they will need to convert when they are given easy opportunities. Last year, they dominated the Coyotes at home, 33-7. They won that game because of defense and special teams, in large part because of a fumble and kickoff both returned for touchdowns. On the year, the Buffaloes have returned zero punts and kickoffs for touchdowns.

 

Nathan Clayton believes they just need to keep momentum going from the last game.

 

“If we come out like we did from the second half of last game, I believe we will be just fine,” Clayton said. “During the second half we came together as a team. Defense started making stops, the offense started moving the ball, and I feel if we keep doing that, we will be good.”

 

Momentum has been tough to sustain for the Buffaloes. They have scored in consecutive quarters in a game only twice and last Friday was the first time they scored in three straight quarters.

Scoring won't be a problem, if Clayton and Stevie Maddox continue to have that unspoken connection. Clayton passed for 206 yards and three touchdowns, while Maddox was the beneficiary of five catches and 86 yards with two touchdowns.

 

If all goes well Friday, the Buffaloes will no longer be saying, “We could’ve done better.”