Bangs opens district with third consecutive win, 49-21 at De Leon

September 24, 2022 at 3:59 am Derrick Stuckly

High School Football

Guy Powell (left) sparked the offense and Nate Stoffer (right) led the defense for the Dragons (3-2, 1-0), who are off next week and host Goldthwaite Oct. 7

DE LEON – The Bangs Dragons continued their winning ways away from home, notching a crucial District 5-2A Division I victory over the De Leon Bearcats, 49-21, Friday night in the league opener for both squads.

Bangs (3-2, 1-0) collected its third victory in a row – all away from Memorial Stadium – as Guy Powell rushed for 323 yards and five touchdowns on just 14 carries and returned a kick for a touchdown as well.

Quarterback Kenny Cole chipped in 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground while completing 5 of 13 passes for 78 yards with an interception.

Keygan Pitts added 52 yards rushing and Skyler Minshew picked up 23, while leading receivers were Guy Funk with two catches for 24 yards, Hunter Newton with two for 22 yards, Powell with one for 25, and Nate Stoffer with a 5-yard snag.

Defensively, Ethan Ethridge amassed a team-best 15 tackles against De Leon (3-2, 0-1) followed by Pitts with 13 and a fumble recovery, Powell with 11, and Stoffer with 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

The Dragons’ District 5-2A Division I bye falls next week, but Bangs will be back in action Oct. 7 at home against Goldthwaite (0-5, 0-1), which fell to Coleman, 61-0, Friday night.