BIG SPRING — The 2022 football season didn’t start or finish the way the Cross Plains Buffaloes had hoped it would. 

A season filled with promise was struck by tragedy when standout running back Ryan Hopkins died in a preseason auto accident. In his absence, the Buffaloes gradually battled their way to a Class 2A Division II playoff spot in Big Spring, where Thursday they fell as a No. 4 seed in the bi-district round to a powerhouse Wink team, 60-0 at Memorial Stadium. 

Cannon Gibson threw for 231 yards, rushed for 115 and accounted for five touchdowns to lift Wink (11-0), which will face either Santo or Seymour in the area round. The Wildcats led Cross Plains 54-0 at the break, after which both clubs agreed on playing the second half with a running clock.