Terrence Robinson ran for three touchdowns as Buckhorn beat Lee-Huntsville 38-20 to clinch a playoff berth.

The senior quarterback/running back scored from 7, 3 and 9 yards out as the Bucks improved to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Class 6A, Region 8. Buckhorn led 24-7 at halftime at Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville.

“We just had to come out and execute to make the playoffs,” Robinson said.

Buckhorn also scored on Bryce Lowery’s 20-yard fumble return and Ya Ya Landrum’s 2-yard run. Van Reid kicked a 25-yard field goal.

Leshaun Vann threw two touchdown passes for the host Generals (2-5, 1-3), a 55-yarder to Brandon Johnson and a 5-yarder to Adrian Mitchell. He also scored on a 15-yard run up the middle.

“I thought we established the line of scrimmage in the run game,” Buckhorn second-year coach Matt Patterson said. “And our defense created turnovers.”

Star of the game: Robinson had 24 carries for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

Play of the game: With the score tied 7-7, Lowery picked up a fumble and ran 20 yards to the end zone to put the Bucks ahead to stay. Reid’s extra point put Buckhorn up 14-7 at 7:52 in the second quarter.

Key sequence: After a Lee fumble, Buckhorn marched 51 yards in six plays, capped by Landrum’s 2-yard run. Buckhorn led 21-7 with 3:02 left in the half. Reid added his field goal seven seconds before halftime.

Stat sheet: Buckhorn – Landrum, a sophomore, had 26 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown. Defensive end Sammie Scruggs, a sophomore, had four tackles with a sack. Lee – Vann had 11 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown.

By the numbers: 298 – Buckhorn total yards with 271 rushing and 27 passing. 307 – Lee total yards with 102 rushing and 205 passing. 6 – Lee turnovers on four interceptions and two fumbles. 1 – Buckhorn turnover on a fumble late in the fourth quarter. 6 – wins apiece in the teams’ 12 meetings all-time.

Coachspeak: “This win means a lot because from our standpoint it puts us in the playoffs. Just hats off to our seniors for leading this team.” – Patterson.

“Buckhorn came out and did what they were supposed to do. They executed. T-Rob is an excellent ballplayer. He got them out of some tough situations they had, and he made plays. Ultimately he was the difference maker in the game.” – Lee second-year coach Irving McGuire.

They said it: “I just wanted to bring energy to the team to keep us playing into November.” – Robinson.

“My motivation and the way I humbled myself helped my team.” – Landrum.

“We executed. We were watching film like all week, studied our opponent.” – Scruggs.

What’s next? In 6A, Region 8, Buckhorn will host Fort Payne while Lee travels to Gadsden City.