By John Glover, The Daily News

The Bowling Green Buccaneers lost their final District 5AAA game Friday night against the Silliman Institute Wildcats by a score of 19-18.

It was hard fought as both the Wildcats and Buccaneers strove to overcome strong showings by the teams’ offense and defense. Bowling Green quarterback Cameron Bell scored two touchdowns in a losing effort.

Bell’s first touchdown came in the fifth play of the game from the Silliman 12-yard-line. The Buccaneers tried for the extra point, but it was no good. His second touchdown came in the fourth quarter when he pushed through the Wildcats defense at the Silliman 21, and took it in for the final Buccaneer touchdown. Bell attempted the two-point conversation with a quarterback keeper, but the Wildcats held firm.

Buccaneer Cameron Cowart put a touchdown on the board in the second quarter after a handoff from Bell at the Bowling Green 33. Cowart ran through the Wildcats’ defense for the 67-yard touchdown. The Bucs went for the two-point conversion with a pass to Kenny Robinson, but it was unsuccessful.

Defensively, Robinson collected an interception at the start of the third quarter when Silliman’s Ryder Lockhart tried to toss to Ben LeJeune from the Bowling Green 22. It was the second interception for the Buccaneers on Friday night. The first was by Logan Leger in the first quarter.

The Wildcats scored touchdowns in the second, third, and fourth quarters. In the second quarter, Lockhart passed to LeJeune from the 2-yard-line. The Wildcats got the extra point after the kick from Lockhart.

In the third quarter, Lockhart handed the ball off to Trace McManus at the Silliman 39. McManus avoided the Buccaneer defense and put the Wildcats in the lead after his 61-yard touchdown. Trey Hunt failed in his extra point attempt.

In the fourth quarter, Lockhart handed off to Patrick Crain from the 5-yard-line for the last touchdown of the game. Lockhart attempted a two-point conversion with a pass to Crain but it didn’t connect.

Crain also had a strong showing on defense, with two interceptions off the Buccaneers.

“It’s a tough loss and we’ve got to deal with it,” Bowling Green coach David Currier said. “It’s a lesson. We didn’t make the plays we needed to make, but we’ve just got to look ahead to Columbia next week.”

Bowling Green goes on to play Columbia Academy next Friday at home. Silliman Institute will play Ben’s Ford Christian Academy.