(New Buffalo, MI) - The New Buffalo High School football team, struggling after starting the season with three straight victories, opens the post season at home on Saturday.

           

The Bison (3-3) lost for the third straight time Friday night at Lawrence 54-6.  New Buffalo played without three key starters on offense and defense.

 

“The kids played hard.  You take three of your top players off any team it’s going to noticeably effect the game,” said Bison Head Coach Matt Johnson.

 

Anthony Lijewski is out for the season with a broken collarbone suffered October 16 against Vandercook Lake High School.  Michael Bombin, because of a misconduct foul during the second half against Vandercook Lake, was tossed out of the game and ruled ineligible to play against Lawrence under Michigan High School Athletic Association rules.  Bombin, an elusive starting quarterback with breakaway speed, will return for the post season.  Brenden Tanksley also did not play because of health related issues.  His status for the regional opener was still in doubt.  Tanksley and Lijewski are quality starters in the backfield and solid players along with Bombin on defense.

 

The Bison, ranked 4^th out of eight teams in the regional 8 man football tournament, plays Camden Frontier High School in the first round at 5 p.m.  Camden Frontier (2-4), east of Sturgis, is the 5^th seed.

 

Johnson said the loss against Bridgman came after several players missed practice due to sickness leading up to the game.  The loss to Vandercook Lake came after Lijewski got hurt in the first half and Bombin was ordered to sit out the remainder of the game early in the second half.

 

Johnson said he likes his team’s chances of winning Saturday especially if two of his starters missing from the previous game suit up.  He said playing at home should also help.

 

One of the Bison victories this year was against a high powered Wyoming Tri-Unity High School team which lost to Bridgman 54-53 in overtime on Friday.

 

“If we play our game and we play the way we know we can play I feel we can compete with anybody,” Johnson said.