Kickoff between the Dragons (3-2, 1-0) and Eagles (0-6, 0-2) is set for 7 p.m.
Since falling at home to Early (34-20) and Comanche (42-18) to start the season, Bangs has bounced back with wins over Grape Creek (53-8), Merkel (28-13) and De Leon (49-21) in the league opener.
“We’re improving in all three phases of the game,” Bangs fifth-year head coach Kyle Maxfield said in regard to the Dragons’ win streak. “De Leon was a big test for us. The first half was back and forth and our kids were pretty resilient there in the second half. That’s the been the most impressive thing because it’s been a while since we’ve seen that in Bangs. It was good to see the kids fight back and get the ‘W’ and it’s going to take that every Friday night in district.”
The Dragons’ district bye fell last week, which wasn’t the most ideal time, according to Maxfield.
“The bye week was good for us in a lot of ways but at the same time, when things are going well you hate to take a break in the action,” Maxfield said. “We have to get rebooted and ready for Goldthwaite to come to town Friday.”
Goldthwaite, under the direction of former Brownwood offensive coordinator Andy Howard, is still in search of its first victory the season.
The Eagles have dropped contests to Crawford (49-0), Santo (20-7), Rosebud-Lott (34-14) and Granger (36-14), as well as Coleman (61-0) and De Leon (44-19) in district competition.
“We expect them to show up and give us a hard-fought game,” Maxfield said. “That’s what their coaching staff is about and their program. They have a lot of tradition and they’re better than what their record shows. When you have a new system, especially on offense, it takes a while to get rolling but they’re definitely improving. Every Friday night we know we have to bring our ‘A’ game.”
In last week’s loss to De Leon, Goldthwaite led 7-6 in the first quarter after a 54-yard touchdown run by Cutter Campbell, but De Leon answered with 26 points in a row to build a 32-7 advantage early in the second half.
The Eagles finished with 263 total yards – 192 rushing and 71 passing – but committed three turnovers. De Leon finished with 378 yards – 295 on the ground and 83 through the air – and did not commit a turnover.
Campbell competed 6 of 13 passes for 71 yards and two scoring tosses and rushed for 131 yards and another score. Carsyn Campbell added 25 yards on the ground while Collin Gardner caught a team-high three receptions for 41 yards and scored once.
The Dragons enter the contest averaging 34 points and 365 yards – 288 rushing and 77 passing – per game, led by Guy Powell’s 979 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Powell ran for 323 yards and five touchdowns and added another score via kick return against De Leon.
“I always thought Guy could be really special and he’s done some great things for us in the past,” Maxfield said. “Sometimes kids get into their senior year and they’re a whole different animal and that’s how Guy’s been. He’s really matured not just on the field but off the field. He’s a guy people love to play with, they love to block for him, they respond to him, he’s a great leader and a great kid. You can’t say enough good things about Guy. It’s going to get tougher, and we all know that, but just to see him do what he’s been able to do has been very satisfying from a coach’s standpoint.”
Other key contributors on offense include quarterback Kenny Cole, who has completed 24 of 68 passes for 385 yards with three touchdown and four interceptions, while rushing for 204 yards and four scores; Hunter Newton (7-132, TD receiving; 57 yards, TD rushing); Guy Funk (6-125, TD receiving), Nate Stoffer (5-82, TD receiving) and Keygan Pitts (110 yards rushing).
“There’s going to be 22 eyes on Guy so we have to keep developing other areas of our offense and spreading the ball around, and maybe that opens some more things up for Guy,” Maxfield said.
Defensively, Bangs is giving up 23 points and 408 yards – 257 rushing and 151 passing – per game, with 10 takeaways.
Standouts include Stoffer (57 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries), Pitts (54 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Powell (48 tackles 1 fumble recovery), Ethan Ethridge (26 tackles, 1 interception), Sergio Lopez (21 tackles, 1 for loss), Skylar Minshew (17 tackles), Braydon Fields (15 tackles, 1 interception), David Herrera (13 tackles), Zack Ferguson (12 tackles, 1 interception), and Weston Jundt (12 tackles, 1 fumble recovery).
“On defense, we need to play a complete game,” Maxfield said. “We’ve had a lot of first quarters where we play well and the second quarter has been our Achilles heel, that’s where we give up a lot of points. We have to put a complete game together for four quarters. The last game, we didn’t allow a point after halftime.”
As for the importance of finally getting a win in front of the home crowd, especially for homecoming, Maxfield said, “We’ve done all these renovations to the stadium, so it’s about time we get a ‘W’ on this field. That’s what we’re striving to do this week.”
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Bangs is a 24-point favorite.
***
Bangs Dragons 2022 Football Season Stats
Through 5 Games (3-2, 1-0)
TEAM OFFENSE
33.6 points per game (168)
364.8 yards per game (1,824)
287.8 rushing yards per game (1,439)
77.0 passing yards per game (385)
PASSING
* Kenny Cole
24 of 68 for 385 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs
RUSHING
* Guy Powell
979 yards on 76 carries, 13 TDs
* Kenny Cole
204 yards on 40 carries, 4 TDs
* Keygan Pitts
110 yards on 11 carries
* Hunter Newton
57 yards on 6 carries, 1 TD
* Ethan Ethridge
33 yards on 5 carries
* Skylar Minshew
27 yards on 3 carries
* Guy Funk
24 yards on 2 carries
* Nate Stoffer
5 yards on 1 carry
RECEIVING
* Hunter Newton
7 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD
* Guy Funk
6 catches, 125 yards, TD
* Nate Stoffer
5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
* Skylar Minshew
4 catches, 17 yards
* Guy Powell
1 catch, 25 yards
* Kade Minshew
1 catch, 3 yards
###
TEAM DEFENSE
23.2 points per game (116)
407.8 yards per game (2,039)
256.6 rushing yards per game (1,283)
151.2 passing yards per game (756)
TACKLES
* Nate Stoffer
57 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries
* Keygan Pitts
54 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery
* Guy Powell
48 tackles 1 fumble recovery
* Ethan Ethridge
26 tackles, 1 interception
* Sergio Lopez
21 tackles, 1 for loss
* Skylar Minshew
17 tackles
* Braydon Fields
15 tackles, 1 interception
* David Herrera
13 tackles
* Zack Ferguson
12 tackles, 1 interception
* Weston Jundt
12 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
* Hunter Newton
10 tackles
* Noah Pin
9 tackles
* Brody Newton
5 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack
* Kade Minshew
3 tackles
* Isaiah Serrato
3 tackles
* Guy Funk
3 tackles
* Chris Valdez
2 tackles
* Caedmon Tidwell
2 tackles
* Noah Castillo
2 tackles
* Donovan Ruiz
2 tackles
###
TURNOVER MARGIN (+4)
* Bangs: 6 (2 fumbles, 4 interceptions)
* Opponents: 10 (4 fumbles, 6 interceptions)