Syracuse Strong Humbles Stallions 27-0 in 2025 Home Opener

The players, dressed in black to symbolize Syracuse Strong's identity, gathered in a huddle on the sideline of the field. Following Coach Scott Irons’ motivating pregame speech, the Strong team confidently stepped off the bench to launch their first home game of the season at Henninger High School.

Strong dominated Southern Tier Stallions 27-0 on Saturday’s home game. Shakem Buckmom (196 passing yards) and Rashad Burns (62 rushing yards) again led the charge offensively, while linebacker Michael Ladd impressed with seven tackles and two sacks on the other end.

Strong set the tone early in the Stallions’ opening drive when linebacker Michael Ladd stuffed the runner who had just slipped past him. After holding Buffalo to a third-and-long, Strong forced a turnover on downs thanks to a perfectly timed pass-interference flag on Luke Corl, giving the offense the ball back in prime field position.

Strong’s defense stiff-armed the Stallions at the line, yet the offense couldn’t capitalize after taking over at midfield—an untimely false start and two uncoordinated passing attempts left them stuck for no gain. The momentum looked to swing when Strong faced a 3rd-and-7, but Ladd exploded off the edge, wrapping up the ball carrier four yards short to snuff out the threat and force a punt.

Strong found its groove to start the second quarter. On the very first snap, Buckmom launched a 40-yard strike down the right sideline to Duran Jackson Sr., moving the ball to the Stallions’ 20. To keep the momentum, Buckmom cut back to the left edge for another 10-yard gain, setting up 3rd-and-8 at the 8-yard line. Facing pressure, he rolled right and fired a quick dart to Laquan Rouse in the flat, picking up 4 yards and shortening the field to goal-to-go. Rashad Burns then plowed through the middle on back-to-back carries and powered into the end zone from three yards out, putting Strong up 7–0.

On Strong’s second possession, Brandon Ray blasted off right tackle for 10 yards to spark the drive. Buckmom kept things rolling with a 25-yard connection to Jackson Sr., splitting two defenders along the sideline. Ray picked up another chunk, darting between the linebacker and tackle for 15 yards to the Stallions’ 30. But after a one-man push by Buckmom on 3rd-and-9, Strong opted for the field goal. Unfortunately, Jimmy Brady’s 21-yard attempt was blocked as time expired in the half.

Strong came out of halftime firing on all cylinders. On the opening snap, Rashad Burns burst through traffic for a 34-yard run to midfield. After chewing the clock on a short run, Strong faced 3rd-and-8, and Mikeal Teamer hauled in a 9-yard catch from Buckmom to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Buckmom found Aaron Smith in the left flat; Smith turned upfield, twisted past a defender, and crossed the goal line, putting Strong ahead 14–0 just five minutes into the third quarter.

Strong’s defense answered right back. Kelvin White, fresh off a stellar outing last week, jumped a slant route and picked off the Stallions’ first pass of the half, setting up excellent field position. Unfortunately, on the very next snap, Buckmom fumbled under pressure. But the defense wasn’t done: a few plays later, Strong’s secondary corralled its fourth takeaway of the day—another interception returned 15 yards—to swing momentum back once more.

It wasn’t until early in the fourth quarter that Strong struck again offensively. Facing 2nd-and-10 at their own 48, Buckmom threaded a perfect deep ball to Brandon Ray, who snagged it under duress, wriggled free of a would-be tackler, and sprinted 52 yards for the touchdown. The extra point made it 20–0.

With ten minutes to go, Strong turned a Stallions fumble into six more. Amos Woodrum pounced on the loose ball at the Stallions’ 12 and, two plays later, powered in a 10-yard rush to extend the margin to 27–0.

Even with the game well in hand, the defense kept piling on. Jeffrey McDuffie picked off a tipped pass and raced 48 yards before finally being pushed out of bounds. Rashad Burns also chipped in defensively, scooping up a third-quarter fumble and rummaging 25 yards before tacklers hauled him down. Duran Jackson Sr. added a third-forceful run that moved the chains, but the Stallions’ front seven stiffened, keeping them scoreless the rest of the way.

After kicking off the season with two victories, Strong is looking to keep the streak against the Capital City Seahawks at the home field.