Bulldogs 70-12 win ends early on mercy rule

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs faced plenty of adversity during the nondistrict portion of the football season and took several lumps along the way.

All that was washed away last Friday as the Bulldogs broke into the win column in a big way, beating the Paint Creek Pirates 70-12 in their District 9-1A Division II opener.

“The guys were working hard all week,” coach John Hughes said. “We had a good game plan set up for them, and they executed it. They did everything we asked them to do.”

Arren Hawley scored 46 points as the Bulldogs (1-4 overall, 1-0 district) scored more in the first quarter than they had in their first four games. That stretch saw Moran score just two touchdowns as all four games, three of which were against Division I opponents, ended early on the 45-point rule.

This time, it was Moran’s turn to invoke the mercy rule.

Hawley, Moran’s lone senior, rushed for 177 yards and four touchdowns, caught four passes for 68 yards with two scores, and kicked five two-point PATs.

Connor Hail rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns. Ellis Hise was 4 of 9 passing for 68 yards with two TDs and returned an interception 37 yards for a score on defense.

Hawley and Hise each were in on 10 tackles to lead the defense. Caleb York was in on nine stops,  while Hail was in on eight. Riley Noble and Cotten Campbell had five apiece. Keagan Kilcrease was in on two tackles.

Moran led 24-0 after the first quarter, then outscored the Pirates (3-2, 0-1) 46-12 in the second.

Moran visits Woodson at 7:30 p.m. Friday in an effort to keep pace with Throckmorton in the district race. The Cowboys (2-3, 0-0) lost 39-27 last week at Forestburg in their final nondistrict outing. Throckmorton (7-0) defeated Lueders-Avoca 66-20 in last week’s other district game.

“It’s a very winnable game,” Hughes said. “I think we can go in there and steal one. If we do that, we’re in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot.”