GRIDIRON GLANCE ‘23: Cross Plains Buffaloes

August 8, 2023 at 7:30 am Derrick Stuckly

CROSS PLAINS – The Cross Plains Buffaloes experienced a tragic start to their 2022 season as teammate Ryan Hopkins lost his life due to an automobile accident during preseason practice. The mourning Buffaloes followed with a spirited 5-0 start to the season, but the District 6-2A Division II schedule proved more challenging as Cross Plains finished fourth in league play.

While the Buffaloes were able to secure an eighth consecutive playoff berth, the goal for Cross Plains’ 13^th season under head coach Daniel Purvis is clear – finish strong.

“We have to be playing better when it matters,” Purvis said of the Buffaloes, who finished 7-4 overall but just 2-3 in district action. “That’s something we didn’t do last year. We fell off at the end of the season and our goal this year is to change that and to try to be playing the best ball when it matters most. Last year was a really unique year and a tough year, and having to navigate that was new for all of us.”

The Buffaloes return nine offensive and seven defensive starters, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, which also tabbed Cross Plains to repeat its fourth-place league finish behind reigning state champion Albany, Miles and Roscoe.

“Albany did it all last year and Roscoe and Miles are going to be good,” Purvis said. “It’s going to be tough and we know that. We also know we have to be good. We made the playoffs for the eighth year in a row but we were disappointed in the way we finished, our expectations were a lot higher than that. This year that’s been something we talked about a lot in the spring, summer and already in practice. We want to exceed expectations.”

Among the key returnees for Cross Plains is first-team all-district offensive lineman Alex Parker, who will be moving into the backfield, along with Dusty Wyatt (261 rushing yards, 8 TDs; 31-267, 2 TDs receiving), who is taking over as the feature skill player.

Cross Plains also returns the bulk of its offensive line, including Colt Sanderson (6-2, 230 lbs.), Bentley Hall (6-0, 275 lbs.), Jaeden Box (6-4, 240 lbs.), JR Sanchez (6-5, 275 lbs.) and Gage Fortune (5-9, 160 lbs.).

“I’ve never had the size that I’ve got,” Purvis said. “We have seven or eight kids over 240 pounds and I’ve never had that. We think we’re going to be really good up front. We trying to figure out how to use that mainly because we’ve never had the opportunity to.”

Skill players to watch for the Buffaloes include quarterback Kade Purvis (1,503 passing yards, 16 TDs), receiver Asher Moses (23-224, 2 TDs) and tight end Ryder Reed (6-117, 3 TDs).

“We have to develop our passing game,” Purvis said. “We lost a great receiver in Ryan Reed, so we have to find a go-to kid to keep defenses honest so they’re not able to pack the box on us. Kade’s development at quarterback is important. In the past we’ve hid him and depended on other players and play-action, but we need him to step up and be a leader and be more of a factor and read defenses to keep them honest. Our passing game is really going to be key to our success.”

Prior to the start of district, the Buffaloes will attempt to hone their skills against the likes of Winters, De Leon, Hico, Junction and Smyer – all teams Cross Plains defeated a season ago.

“We’ve got some really tough games,” Purvis said. “De Leon is going to better, Junction is going to be a rough game. If we win or lose those games, I want to see how to respond after a win or a loss that next week. How do we manage or emotions after big wins and losses? That’s something I want to see more from us, the consistency to bring it every single Friday night like the great teams do. If that’s what we want to be, we have to find a way to get ourselves up.”

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CROSS PLAINS BUFFALOES 2023 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 25 – Winters, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 – at De Leon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 – Hico#, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 – at Junction, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 – Smyer (at Roscoe), 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 – OPEN

Oct. 6 – Roscoe*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 – Albany*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 – at Hamlin*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 – Abilene TLCA* (at Hawley), 7 p.m.