Video of Nate Stoffer’s 101-yard interception return on the last play of the game, courtesy of the Bangs ISD Facebook page.

GRAPE CREEK – Following two losses in which Bangs faded as the game progressed, the Dragons secured their first victory of 2022 in dominant fashion Friday night, controlling the Grape Creek Eagles from start to finish in a 53-6 road triumph.

Bangs (1-2) racked up 383 yards of total offense – 246 rushing and 141 passing – against a Grape Creek (0-3) defense that was allowing 31.5 points per game.

Guy Powell rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries, while quarterback Kenny Cole chipped in 42 yards and a score on seven carries as well. Keygan Pitts and Skylar Minshew tacked on carries of 12 and 4 yards, respectively.

Through the air, Cole connected on 6 of 8 passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Nate Stoffer caught two passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, Hunter Newton contributed two receptions for 37 yards and scored once, and Guy Funk hauled in a 44-yard scoring toss, while lone reception.

Caedmon Tidwell booted five extra point kicks for Bangs.

Defensively, Pitts led the Dragons with 12 tackles followed by Powell and Stoffer with 10 each, Braydon Fields with seven, and Sergio Lopez and David Herrera with five apiece. Stoffer also returned an interception 101 yards for a Bangs touchdown.

Next week, the Dragons make the trip to Merkel (1-2), which suffered a 41-21 loss at the hands of Clyde Friday night.