Snow College football secured a dominant 39-10 victory over Cisco College on Saturday, Sept. 6, marking the Badgers' successful debut in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference. The win, which saw the Badgers score 39 unanswered points, improves the team to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
Unanswered Scoring Surge
The Badgers overcame an early deficit to control the remainder of the contest. Cisco College initially took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter following a 9-yard touchdown run and a 41-yard field goal by Ian Sanches. However, Snow College responded with three consecutive touchdowns to seize control before halftime.
Jadyn Buckner opened the scoring for the Badgers with a 25-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Dylan Story. Aquaylis Jordan followed with a 10-yard touchdown run, and Grayden Dumas caught a touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining in the first half to give Snow College a 20-10 advantage entering the break.
Defensive Dominance
The second half was defined by a stifling Snow College defense that intercepted four passes and recorded 11 tackles for loss. The defense neutralized the Wranglers, holding them scoreless for the final three quarters of the game.
Two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter secured the victory. Fale Atuaia returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown, and Will Warner returned another interception 34 yards for a score. These plays extended the Badgers' lead to 39-10 with 9 minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the game.
Key Individual Performances
Offensively, the Badgers outgained Cisco 401-205. Jadyn Buckner led the rushing attack with 102 yards on 13 carries, including significant gains of 50 and 20 yards. Dylan Story finished the game completing 13 of 29 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Other key contributors included Lael Rhodes, who caught five passes for 66 yards, and LaDainian Wall, who recorded a touchdown reception. On the defensive side, Jaden Manwaring led the team with eight tackles, while Maxx Johnson, Meeks Falatea, Fale Atuaia, and Will Warner each recorded an interception.
Conference Transition
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Snow College football program, which officially joined the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in the fall of 2026. The move follows the program's status as an NJCAA Division I Football Independent since 2019, a period necessitated by the dissolution of the Western States Football League after the 2018 season.
Snow College President Stacee McIff previously stated that the move to the SWJCFC was an opportunity to compete with schools that share the institution's values. Head Coach Zac Erekson noted that joining the conference would eliminate the scheduling hurdles faced during the program's years as an independent.
Season Progression
The Badgers' victory in Cisco follows a strong start to the 2026 campaign. On Aug. 22, 2026, Snow College defeated No. 10 Garden City Community College 31-17. In that matchup, Jadyn Buckner scored two touchdowns, including a 44-yard run, to help secure the win.
Under Head Coach Zac Erekson, the Badgers have maintained a strong presence on the road. Since 2020, the team has holds a 22-6 record in road games. The win against Cisco marks the first of several scheduled road games for the team this season.
Looking Ahead
Snow College will continue its road schedule by facing Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6:00 p.m. MST. The Badgers' upcoming schedule includes matchups against Trinity Valley Community College, Tyler Junior College, Blinn College, and the New Mexico Military Institute.
