Dylan Busby publisher@jasperconews.com Jasper County News BUNA — The Buna Cougars erased a 10-point deficit Friday night to defeat the Kirbyville Wildcats 21-17, clinching a playoff berth in their regular-season finale and completing a dramatic turnaround from last season. Buna finished 7-3 after going 1-9 in 2025, a six-win improvement that head coach Mike Trahan credited to his players’ determination. “Huge win to finish the regular season. Our kids deserved the win,” Trahan said. “To go from 1-9 to 7-3 is an amazing accomplishment for our football program. We were 1 point away from being 8-2.” Kirbyville, battling to preserve its own postseason hopes, built a 17-7 lead. Alex Ibarra opened the scoring with a field goal before Buna quarterback Brody Moss scored on a touchdown run to put the Cougars ahead 7-3. The Wildcats answered with two touchdowns, including a 42-yard pass from Coy Wiggins to Caleb Glenn, to take control before Buna mounted its comeback. Moss helped drive the Cougars downfield, and Tanner Crane finished a scoring possession with a touchdown to narrow the deficit to 17-14. Buna’s defense then delivered a pivotal turnover when Kenan Fachorn intercepted a Kirbyville pass. The Cougars converted the opportunity into the go-ahead score, taking a 21-17 lead their defense protected through the final whistle. Moss led Buna’s ground attack with 103 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Braxton Stimits added 70 yards on 15 carries, while Crane rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts. Alex Soileau contributed 20 yards on five carries, Lev Rice gained 13 yards on three attempts, and Brody Batman added 3 yards on one carry. Buna finished with 251 rushing yards on 50 attempts, averaging slightly more than 5 yards per carry. The balanced ground game gave Buna multiple ways to move the chains. Its defense supplied the other part of the comeback, forcing the turnover that set up the winning possession after Kirbyville had appeared firmly in control for stretches. Defensively, Soileau led the Cougars with 19 tackles, including 10 solo stops, nine assists and a tackle for loss. Huck McGuire and Batman recorded nine tackles apiece, with McGuire also notching a tackle for loss. Stimits added eight tackles and a pass breakup. Luke Gomez and Jayden Reeves each made seven tackles, while Reeves contributed a sack and a tackle for loss. Lane Wheeler recorded five tackles, Jesse Caillier had four, and Fachorn added three tackles and a pass breakup to his interception. “Kirbyville gave us their best shot and we were able to weather the storm and get the win,” Trahan said. “I’m very proud of our entire team and coaching staff.”