ATWATER — It didn’t take long for the Buhach Colony High football team to set the tone in Friday night’s league game against Pitman High, as running back Stetson Barton danced 80 yards down the right sideline to give his Thunder a touchdown on the very first play of the game.

Only 19 seconds elapsed.

“The first play shocked us,” Pitman junior quarterback AJ Derr said. “We weren’t prepared for that.”

That stunned feeling never went away, however, as the Thunder produced three 100-yard rushers and a bevy of highlights throughout the night on Atwater High’s artificial turf to easily win 52-21 over the Pride in Central California Conference play. Buhach Colony extends its undefeated record to 7-0 overall, as well as going 2-0 in league action.

Pitman falls to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the CCC.

By late in the third quarter, the Thunder inserted their reserves since they were up 45-13 after Dallon Muse earned his third touchdown of the night to finish with 151 yards. The other two Buchach Colony rushers who surpassed 100 yards were Jarrell Davis and Barton, who had 113 and 106 yards, respectively.

Right before the first half was over, the Thunder made it 24-7. After only five plays and 70 yards in 23 seconds, the Thunder scored on an 11-yard TD run by Davis. That’s one example of how fluid and effective the Thunder’s running game was on this night.

“Our defense could have controlled their backs,” Derr said. “They were using special formations. Our defense could have reacted better, and I think they will next week against Atwater.”

For now, the Pride will enter a long weekend thinking about what went wrong against the Thunder, who are now in charge of the CCC title. Pitman fumbled twice in the game and couldn’t find any offensive rhythm all night, failing to convert on a number of third-down and fourth-down opportunities.

Pitman had some bright spots, however. Jaime Lemus capped off a 13-play drive to tie the game 7-7 with 3 minutes, 29 seconds left in the first quarter. Derr, the Pitman quarterback, had a 70-yard TD run late in the third quarter to cut the deficit down to 38-13 and Dominick Walker (89 yards rushing) scored from 3 yards out when the game was out of reach.

Derr went 5-for-13 for 114 yards passing.

“I think our guys played tough,” Pitman coach Brandon Harris. “I’m proud of the effort the guys showed.”

To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.