Buchholz Flag Football Ends Bradford’s Undefeated Record In Overtime Nail-Biter

By Natalia Lopez and Riley Tirrell

The host Buchholz Bobcats rallied in the second half to hand the Bradford Tornadoes their first loss of the flag football season in overtime, 20-19, on Tuesday.

Bouncing back from a setback against the Santa Fe Raiders last week, Buchholz (9-1) displayed determination to rally for a the win.

Both defenses played hard through the heat, which kept the game scoreless throughout the first quarter. The teams struggled to capitalize on turnovers and repeatedly exchanging possessions.

Junior safety Taylor Booth intercepted a bobbled pass in the end zone to set the tone defensively for Buchholz. However, the offense struggled to get started.

Tornadoes quarterback Arnayshia Griffin, with agility and quick reaction time, got the ball rolling for Bradford (8-1) with 5:30 remaining in the second quarter. The Tornadoes were able to sneak into the end zone for the game’s first points.

Behind by six, the Bobcats (9-1) were forced to make a change at quarterback after a verbal altercation with the referee sent quarterback Isabella Alexander to the sidelines. Junior Katherine Galione stepped into Alexander’s position for several plays.

Here is my postgame interview with #1 Katie Galione! pic.twitter.com/Zla9w2dxSI

— Abigale Dressback (@abigaledback) April 2, 2025

She later stepped up for a huge offensive gain playing wide receiver by converting on fourth down with a clutch catch and run down the field.

“If the time comes and they need a quarterback I will play, I am open to different positions wherever the team or wherever the coach needs me,” Galione said. “Isabella (quarterback) is graduating, so my senior year, we probably won’t have a quarterback, so if that means I have to step up, I will.”

The Bobcats remained scoreless entering the break still down by a touchdown.

BIG play made by #1 at 4th down with one minute left in the half!! pic.twitter.com/BWYGjrqzJj

— Abigale Dressback (@abigaledback) April 1, 2025

Change Of Pace

Buchholz coach Scott Jamison urged his players to enter the final half with a new sense of determination, reminding them that “they needed to want it more.”

Also, here is my postgame interview with Head Coach Scott Jamison!! pic.twitter.com/H7BZIwUNRH

— Abigale Dressback (@abigaledback) April 2, 2025

 

“If you don’t get better, you get worse,” Jamison said. “What you want to do is be playing your best ball at the end of the year. The girls have got to want it. They have got to dig deep. We have a good group.”

The Bobcats opened the second half strong, as receiver Atera Clark broke free for a long run into Tornado territory. Alexander launched a ball into the corner of the end zone, where Clark again showed up with an impressive catch. She proceeded to score the extra point.

Then, on the following Bradford possession, Booth snagged her second pick of the game. Buchholz responded on the ensuing drive with a Galione touchdown to give Buchholz a 13-6 lead.

Buchholz #4 makes the catch for a touchdown and then followed up by getting the extra point to take the lead! 7-6 Buchholz!! pic.twitter.com/dX24oDKuZV

— Abigale Dressback (@abigaledback) April 1, 2025

Buchholz extends on their lead with a short touchdown pass. It’s 13-6 with 5 to go in the third. pic.twitter.com/nmuTkYn0jt

— Christian Haas (@ChristianH58745) April 1, 2025

Fourth-Quarter Comeback Brings Game To Overtime

The defensive units for both teams showed tireless effort to keep the game close.

With 5:44 remaining in regulation, Bradford wideout Nichelle Brown, who caused all sorts of problems with her speed, ran in for a touchdown. A successful extra point tied the score at 13-13 to force overtime.

Buchholz retained good spirits heading into overtime, where it had the first possession from the 10-yard line. Booth hauled in a touchdown pass from Alexander, who followed with an extra-point pass to Dunae Chappell that put Buchholz up 20-13. Chappell has been a key player for Buchholz, contributing five touchdowns, 161 yards on eight interceptions and 44 tackles this season. 

On the Tornadoes’ drive, Griffin zipped a pass to Brown, who reeled in the TD catch to bring them within 20-19. Chappell foiled Bradford’s two-point conversion attempt for the win with an interception.

Dunbar Chappell with an interception to end the game! Buchholz wins 20-19. pic.twitter.com/l75bSUQYjx

— Christian Haas (@ChristianH58745) April 1, 2025

Up Next

The Bobcats will play their last two games of the regular season next week. Buchholz visits Newberry (4-3) on Monday at 6 p.m. before hosting Columbia (2-5) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.