“We needed that.”

Those were the words from Buchanan senior wide receiver Brody Reed as he left the handshake line following the Bucks dominating 44-13 win over Bremen Friday in our Sports Michiana Game of the Week.

After losing a heartbreaker to rival Berrien Springs on September 18th, Reed missed last week’s contest against Bronson and the Bucks were stunned with a 2nd consecutive loss, 14-0.

Reed was back Friday in this interstate showdown and he was a massive difference maker, hauling in four catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He was our R. Yoder Construction Player of the Game and his 1st touchdown catch, off the back off a Bremen defender while pass interference was happening, was our Big C Lumber Big Play of the game.

The touchdown catch itself was sensational but it also changed the entire complexion of the game.

Bremen led 7-0 after the 1st quarter but the first 16 seconds of the 2nd quarter were a disaster for the Lions. After forcing Buchanan to punt, Bremen had the punt hit off one of its players and Buchanan recovered. On the next play, 1st year Buchanan coach Nick File dialed up a trick play as running back Max Cornelius took the pitch and then threw it downfield to Reed. It appeared it would be a clear pass interference on Bremen and the Bucks would continue to march down the field. Instead Reed somehow caught the ball and cruised into the end zone for one of the best touchdowns you will see all season.

Buchanan would score the next 44 points to snap a 2-game losing streak and improve to 4-2 on the season. The win was massive for Buchanan’s playoff hopes. In Michigan, teams must qualify for the postseason. The Bucks, playing in Division 6 where 32 teams qualify for districts, were ranked 30th entering the night. After a win over a 5-win Indiana team, Buchanan jumps nine slots to #21.

Bremen falls to 5-2.