BIG HORN — What looked to be a winner turned in to a heart breaker when the MVHS Buffalos played the Big Horn Rams in the quarterfinal game last Friday in Big Horn and took a clipping, 28-26.

The Buffalos put the first points on the board and were out in front most of the game. As the clock was counting down signaling the end of the game, the Rams rallied and pulled ahead by two points to take the win, 28-26. This ended the Buffalos season and sent the Rams into the semi-final game today against the Lyman Eagles. The Rams, with the highest seed, will again host the game. The two teams will battle for the chance to move on to the state championship game next weekend.

As for the game last week between the Mountain View Buffalos and the Big Horn Rams, it was a must-win game for both teams to continue their season. The win coin fell on the side of the Rams, but it wasn’t an easy grab for the Rams. Prior to meeting the MV Buffalos on the field, the only game the Rams had lost was to Lovell. Lovell has led the conference all season.

This game between the Buffalos and the Rams, according to the pundits in the know, was one of the best games of the quarterfinal round, regardless of class.

Mountain View recovered a fumble by the Rams to take possession of the ball The Buffs then opened the scoring with a 30-yard run for a touchdown from Braden Walker to put the Buffs up 7-0 on their first possession. Big Horn came right back with a 14-yard scamper to the end zone from Cooper Garber, tying the score with 4:14 left in the first quarter. The Buffs moved up the middle, and Walker reeled off a 56-yard run for a score so Mountain View led 14-7 after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter, Mountain View upped the lead to 20-7 following a 3-run TD run from Carson Eardley. Eardley, after receiving a hand off, powered up through the field on the side and in the middle before crossing into the end zone. The Rams answered again as Garber threw a 3-yard TD pass to Dawson Richards so the Buffalos still led by six at the half, 20-14.

In the third quarter, the teams exchanged touchdowns with Walker turning in his third rushing touchdown of the game. The Buffs attempted a 2-point conversion, but it was no good. The Buffaloes led 26-14 with 4:65 left in the third quarter. Again, Big Horn answered with their own points as Garber tossed a 17-yard TD pass to Gavin Stafford that cut the gap to 26-21, with 3:17 left in the third quarter.

In the 4th quarter, the Rams moved into the Buffalos territory and gaining a first down on the Buffalos, 29-yard line on completed passes. Garber found Greenough-Groom for a touchdown that covered 15 yards so the Rams finally took the lead at 28-26 with about eight minutes left in the game. The Buffs had tried to take down Greenough-Groom on a tackle and actually ended up pushing him into the end zone.This was the first time the Rams had led in the game.

The teams exchanged possession. Drew Heermann intercepted a pass by the Buffalos, and Herrmann was brought down by Carson Eardley with 57 seconds left in the game

Mountain View wrapped up the season at 5-4 and made substantial progress this season after going 1-7 a year ago. The Buffs have made the postseason in 10 of the last 11 years.