Syracuse Strong Shuts Out Buffalo Stampede 18–0 in Season Opener

Buffalo, N.Y. -- Syracuse Strong started the NFA season strong as it (1-0) dominated Buffalo Stampede (0-1) 18-0. Rashad Burns orchestrated the offense with two touchdowns and a team-most yards finish (84). Linebacker Caremen Jackson stood out on the other end with three tackles and one fumble forced.

After shutting down Buffalo on four straight fourth-down tries, Strong took over at the Stampede 48. On first down, Buckmom sold a convincing play-action fake and handed off to Gregory Peterson, who darted around the edge for the first down. On the very next snap, Buckmom pulled the same trick—this time hitting his receiver for a 15-yard gain—and Burns capped the drive with a short plunge into the end zone.

Burns kept the momentum rolling early in the second quarter. Strong marched into midfield on the game’s first snap of the period, and Burns broke through the interior line on back-to-back carries. From the 30-yard line, he powered in his second touchdown of the afternoon to push the lead to 12–0.

Kicker James Brady, after narrowly missing his initial attempt, finished the second for Strong’s first seven-point play.

Defensively, Strong’s front seven never let Buffalo establish any rhythm. Jackson’s forced fumble highlighted a day in which the unit combined for 17 tackles and three sacks, and defensive back Kelvin White sealed the shutout with the game’s lone interception.

Syracuse Strong returns home next Saturday to Sunnycrest Field at Henninger High School for its first home game of the season, welcoming the Southern Tier Stallions at 7 p.m. on June 14.