Gardendale running back Jordan Howard (5) is pursued by Buckhorn lineman Chad Cromwell (42) in the Bucks’ 28-25 win over the Rockets.

Gardendale suffered their third loss of the season Friday night losing to Buckhorn 28-25.

Although the Bucks had the lead throughout the game, the Rockets had a chance late to win. But Buckhorn stopped the Gardendale offense late, preserving their victory.

The scoring started on Buckhorn’s opening possession of the game. Darien Brown scored the first touchdown when he ran it in from three yards out.

Buckhorn scored again on their next series of downs, when Jordan Enlish ran for 13 yards and a score.

The Bucks had a chance late in the quarter to take a three-touchdown lead, but a fumble out of the back of the end zone stalled their drive.

Gardendale scored in the second quarter when running back Jordan Howard ran it in from five yards out.

The Rockets added three more points on their next series on downs when Jordan Dill kicked a 24-yard field goal.

Buckhorn built onto their lead when Logan Traylor threw a 21-yard scoring pass to Jamar McDonald.

The Rockets scored late, after a trick play that involved Daniel Adkins pitching the ball to Jordan Howard set Gardendale up inside the 20.

Howard took it in on the final play of the half from two yards out to make the score 21-17 Buckhorn.

The Bucks put together a long scoring drive to open the second half. Traylor threw the touchdown to Javon Jackson from seven yards out.

Neither offense could to anything until late in the fourth quarter, when Howard scored his third touchdown of the game from four yards out. Will Thompson ran in a two-point conversion to make the score 28-25.

Late in the game Gardendale had one last chance, but the drive was stopped when Buckhorn’s William Stoner intercepted the Rockets’ fourth-down pass.

Howard ran for 154 yards on 18 carries for the night.

Thompson was 6-for-21 with one interception and 100 yards.

Brandon DeBruce had 14 tackles to lead the Rockets’ defense.

Gardendale (2-3) Next week the Rockets play Northridge for homecoming.