BANGS – The Bangs Dragons ran their win streak to four games and posted their first shutout in almost two full years last week, while the San Saba Armadillos snapped a two-game skid and recorded their first District 5-2A Division I victory.

The Dragons (4-2, 2-0) and Armadillos (5-2, 1-2) collide at 7 p.m. Friday in San Saba with both teams attempting to jockey for postseason positioning.

Reflecting on the Dragons’ 40-0 homecoming win over Goldthwaite – Bangs’ first time to blank an opponent since a 62-0 triumph over Grape Creek on Oct. 9, 2020 – fifth-year head coach Kyle Maxfield said of the defense, “Goldthwaite drove the ball, they made a bunch of plays and kept the ball, but our defense has been good about when they get into the red zone they hold them out. They continued that, and also we created four turnovers. Any time we can get that many turnovers I like our chances.”

For the season, the Dragons have now created 14 takeaways – an average of more than two per contest – which has been crucial to the recent success.

“It’s a combination of several factors,” Maxfield said of the turnovers. “One, our defensive staff has them practicing a turnover drill every week and they’re making it a big emphasis. Another part of it is our kids being a year older and understanding the game and being cognizant of turnovers.”

Offensively, the Dragons put forth one of their most balanced efforts with a 412-yard effort – 248 rushing and 164 passing – with three touchdowns on the ground and three more through the air.

“It was nice to see, and we’re going to have to continue that,” Maxfield said of the offensive balance. “We’re hitting our tough stretch the next four games starting with San Saba Friday. The more balanced we can be the more efficient we’ll be on offense. Hopefully we can open some windows for Guy, that’s what we’re striving to do.”

San Saba comes into the game fresh off a 35-21 victory over De Leon, after falling to Hamilton (40-28) and Coleman (49-0) in its first two league outings.

“They got after De Leon, especially in the second half” Maxfield said. “You could tell they weren’t going to be denied that game. They’re on a mission, just like we are. Their backs are up against the wall every Friday night from here on out. They have some good athletes that run well and they also have some linemen that can mash on some people. The only people they haven’t been able to mash on is Coleman, everybody else they moved the ball really well on and their defense has gotten stops when they needed them.”

The Armadillos head into the game averaging 26 points and 278 yards – 186 rushing and 92 passing – per game, while giving up 19 points with 20 sacks and eight takeaways.

The ground game is anchored by Ethan Gonzales with 646 yards and three touchdowns followed quarterback Lance Taylor with 292 yards and three trips to the end zone, and Tyler Johnson with 286 yards and eight scores.

Taylor has connected on 51 of 84 passes for 645 yards with 11 scoring tosses and one interception. Leading receivers are Johnson (29-325, 8 TDs), Gonzales (8-58). Lane Miller (6-130, TD), and Levi Glover (4-109, 2 TDs).

Leading the charge defensively for San Saba are Zuri Herrera (72 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), Winton Lackey (56 tackles, 6 for loss, 1 sack), Dylan Ware (55 tackles, 18 for loss, 12 sacks), and Jesus Betancourt (40 tackles, 8 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery).

Bangs heads into the game averaging 35 points and 373 yards – 281 rushing and 92 passing – with just six turnovers.

Guy Powell has rushed for 1,167 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 83 carries, an average of 195 yards per game and 14 yards per carry. Quarterback Kenny Cole has chipped in 243 yards and four scores on the ground, to go along with 549 yards passing and six touchdowns, with four interceptions. Other contributors include Nate Stoffer (8-126, TD receiving), Guy Funk (7-151, 2 TDs), Hunter Newton (7-132, TD; 57 rushing yards, 1 TD), Keygan Pitts (111 rushing yards, 1 TD); and Skylar Minshew (6-70, TD receiving; 46 yards rushing).

On the defensive side of the ball, Bangs is giving up 19 points and 369 yards – 243 rushing and 126 passing – per contest, with the 14 takeaways.

Standouts include Stoffer (65 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries), Pitts (64 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Powell (61 tackles 2 fumble recoveries), Ethan Ethridge (36 tackles, 1 interception), Sergio Lopez (30 tackles, 2 for loss), Braydon Fields (22 tackles, 1 interception), and Weston Jundt (19 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception).

As for the keys to a victory, Maxfield said, “Going over to the Graveyard, it’s never easy over there. A lot of people have had the philosophy of ball control to keep the ball away from Guy on offense, so we need to try and get some three and outs if at all possible. Our defense is really playing well, but in the middle of the field we’ve given up some yards and we have to continue to improve and not let them have six, seven, eight minute drives. They are similar to us on offense, about 70-30 run-pass, and on offense they have a ton of formations. I don’t know how they get it all in. They do a good job of being very multiple with their formations so you have to do a good job getting lined up. They got a few teams outflanked and that made it easy for them. We just have to continue getting better, win the turnover battle and knock on wood, keep penalties down like we have. The team that plays the cleanest game will get the ‘W.’”

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Bangs is an 11-point favorite.

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Bangs Dragons 2022 Football Season Stats

Through 6 Games (4-2, 2-0)

TEAM OFFENSE

34.7 points per game (208)

372.7 yards per game (2,236)

281.2 rushing yards per game (1,687)

91.5 passing yards per game (549)

PASSING

* Kenny Cole

33 of 83 for 549 yards, 6 TDs, 4 INTs

RUSHING

* Guy Powell

1,167 yards on 83 carries, 15 TDs

* Kenny Cole

243 yards on 47 carries, 4 TDs

* Keygan Pitts

111 yards on 12 carries, 1 TD

* Hunter Newton

57 yards on 6 carries, 1 TD

* Skylar Minshew

46 yards on 5 carries

* Ethan Ethridge

34 yards on 6 carries

* Guy Funk

24 yards on 2 carries

* Nate Stoffer

5 yards on 1 carry

RECEIVING

* Nate Stoffer

8 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD

* Guy Funk

7 catches, 151 yards, 2 TDs

* Hunter Newton

7 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD

* Skylar Minshew

6 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD

* Guy Powell

2 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD

* Keygan Pitts

1 catch, 19 yards

* Kade Minshew

1 catch, 3 yards

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TEAM DEFENSE

19.3 points per game (116)

369.5 yards per game (2,217)

243.5 rushing yards per game (1,461)

126.0 passing yards per game (756)

TACKLES

* Nate Stoffer

65 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries

* Keygan Pitts

64 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery

* Guy Powell

61 tackles 2 fumble recoveries

* Ethan Ethridge

36 tackles, 1 interception

* Sergio Lopez

30 tackles, 2 for loss

* Braydon Fields

22 tackles, 1 interception

* Weston Jundt

19 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception

* Skylar Minshew

19 tackles

* David Herrera

16 tackles

* Zack Ferguson

12 tackles, 1 interception

* Noah Pin

10 tackles

* Hunter Newton

10 tackles

* Kade Minshew

8 tackles

* Brody Newton

5 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack

* Isaiah Serrato

4 tackles

* Guy Funk

3 tackles, 2 interceptions

* Chris Valdez

3 tackles

* Donovan Ruiz

2 tackles

* Caedmon Tidwell

2 tackles

* Noah Castillo

2 tackles

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TURNOVER MARGIN (+8)

* Bangs: 6 (2 fumbles, 4 interceptions)

* Opponents: 14 (5 fumbles, 7 interceptions)