Goldthwaite pulls away from Bangs, 42-14, in battle for first district win

October 7, 2023 at 12:42 pm Updated: October 8th, 2023 at 6:53 am Derrick Stuckly

Goldthwaite’s Marcus Stevens (24) is pursued by a host of Bangs Dragons during the Eagles’ 42-14 District 5-2A Division I home victory Friday night. [Photo courtesy of Terry Thompson]

GOLDTHWAITE – With both teams seeking their first District 5-2A Division I victory, the Goldthwaite Eagles emerged with a 42-14 home victory over the Bangs Dragons Friday night.

Leading just 7-0 at halftime on a 14-yard touchdown reception by Luke Sanderson, Goldthwaite (3-4, 1-2) dominated the second half and finished with 395 yards of total offense – 259 on the ground and 136 through the air.

A 59-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Ethan Deeds and a 75-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown by Sanderson allowed the Eagles to open a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter.

Sanderson added a 20-yard touchdown catch later in the third period and finished with eight catches for 99 yards and the two scores. Deeds completed 11 of 19 passes for 136 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards and two more touchdowns.

Other offensive standouts for Goldthwaite included Max Storm with 75 rushing yards, Marcus Stevens with 43 on the ground, and Erick Lozoya, who churned out 41 yards. Malachi Thomas added two receptions for 31 yards and Collin Gardner caught a 6-yard pass.

Bangs (1-5, 0-2) generated 292 yards of total offense – 209 rushing and 83 passing – with one turnover.

Quarterback Kenny Cole completed 10 of 29 passes for 83 yards with a touchdown while rushing for 61 yards and another score. Hunter Hudnall finished with a team-best 100 rushing yards while Ethan Ethridge chipped in 48 yards on the ground.

Hunter Newton caught four passes for 68 yards, Ethridge grabbed four catches for just 3 yards, Skylar Minshew finished with three receptions for 26 yards, Brayden Gatlin hauled in two passes for 7 yards with a touchdown, and Kade Minshew caught an 8-yard pass.

Defensively for the Dragons, Hunter Newton led the way with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery trailed by Skylar Minshew with 7.5 tackles, Cason Tidwell with 6.5 tackles, Hunter Crowell with 6.5 tackles, and Damian Hudspeth and Brody Newton with 3 tackles and 1 sack apiece.

Next week, the Dragons welcome San Saba (2-5, 1-2), which suffered a 42-20 loss to De Leon Friday night, while Eagles have their bye week.