Friday’s Bulldog game cancelled

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs’ scheduled football game against Mullin has been cancelled because of a rash of illness affecting Moran players.

The game was to have been played at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Moran’s Bulldog Field.

“It’s not due to COVID,” Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson emphasized. “The kids who are sick have been tested, and all the tests were negative for COVID.”

Moran coach John Hughes said players missed practice Monday because of the situation. The decision to cancel Friday’s game was made Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (0-3) were coming off a 50-0 loss last Friday at Rotan. Hughes said the team had to shuffle its lineup to make up for the absence of quarterback Ellis Hise.

“We had a bunch of guys playing positions they weren’t used to,” Hughes said. “We had about a day to work them in.”

Despite the obstacles, Hughes said there were some bright spots for the Bulldogs.

“We are still trying to get better, trying to move on as we go,” he said. “We blocked a couple of PATs, which was good. We should probably have a few more of those.”

Moran gained 78 total yards while allowing 264. Connor Hail rushed for 42 yards for Moran, and Aaren Hawley rushed for 37 yards.

Hail and Hawley each had five total tackles; Hawley and Riley Noble each blocked a kick.

Rotan was the second consecutive  Class 1A Division I opponent for the Bulldogs. Mullin was to have been Moran’s first Division II opponent since the season opener against Benjamin.

“We’re learning how to step up for district,” Hughes said of playing larger schools. “That’s basically what it boils down to.”

Volleyball

The Moran Lady Bulldogs also took on opponents from larger schools last week, falling to Class 2A teams Albany and Hawley.

Lady Bulldogs coach Jo Hise said playing 2A opponents will help her team.

“It makes us step up our game,” she said. “It helps us figure out where our holes are on the court and how to mentally prepare for more intense games.”

On Sept. 7, Moran lost at home to Albany 11-25, 8-25, 12-25.

“Our serves really hurt us in that second set,” Hise said. “We’re still working on serve receive.”

On Saturday, Moran lost at Hawley 6-25, 9-25, 15-25.

“We came alive in that third set and played a whole lot better ball game than what we’d been playing,” Hise said.

Also on Sept. 7, Moran Junior High lost to Albany 10-25, 12-25. Leanna Sikes led Moran in service scoring in the first set, and Ashlyn Crawford was the leading server in the second.

Moran’s varsity and junior high teams played Tuesday at Rising Star. The varsity is scheduled to host Strawn on Saturday.