Bulldogs to face Aspermont Friday night
By Sam Waller
The Moran Bulldogs football team encountered some ups and downs in its second game of the season, falling 50-0 to Baird on Friday, Sept. 2, in the home opener at Bulldog Field.
The Bulldogs (0-2) return to the road at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at Aspermont.
Bulldog coach John Hughes said Moran was inconsistent in its outing against Baird, which scored 22 points in each of the first two quarters before ending the game with a touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter.
“We went every direction we could have gone,” Hughes said.
Among the positives was a better defensive performance, which enabled the Bulldogs to extend the game into the second half. Ellis Hise was in on six total tackles, with Caleb York making five and Ethan Boykin four. Connor Hail and Cotten Campbell each made two tackles and Tyler Waddell one.
“Defensively, we played a lot better,” Hughes said. “Offensively, we had our bright spots, but then we had our moments where guys were not doing their jobs, and that cost us.”
Moran lost three turnovers, all of which Baird converted into touchdowns on a short field.
Moran finished with 22 total yards. Hise was 5 of 10 passing for 36 yards, including gains of 18 and 12 yards. York had three catches for 28 yards and Campbell had two receptions for 8 yards.
Hail rushed for 16 yards on 14 carries, but Hise was sacked twice for 30 yards to leave Moran with negative rushing yards.
Facing Aspermont
The Bulldogs take on their second Division II opponent of the season in Aspermont (2-0), which is coming off a 72-55 win over Southland.
“They’re a big team,” Hughes said of the Hornets. “They seem physical, but I think if we spread them out we can compete with them.”
Hughes said each week allows the Bulldogs to add elements to their game plan.
“It still comes down to making sure the kids do the job they’re supposed to do,” he said.
One difference this week is Moran will hold classes on Friday for the only time this season. Hughes said that really won’t be an issue, though.
“The last two Fridays, we’ve brought the guys in at noon, fed them lunch, and watched a movie,” he said. “This Friday, we won’t be able to do that, but the guys will have lunch during school. We’ll have some snacks for the trip over, but other than that, it’s really not going to change that much.”
Junior High
Moran will open its junior high schedule at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Aspermont.
Hughes said the junior high team will suit up nine players – two eighth graders, two seventh graders and five sixth graders.
