“They’re one of the most talented teams in the state, head and shoulders at the top of our district,” Cole said. “They’re extremely talented, extremely deep and they do a good job in all areas.”
Reflecting on last week’s 41-38 triumph over San Saba, Cole said, “We started great, our first four possessions we scored on each of them. It didn’t matter if they scored or not, we were just determined and clicking on offense and kept that momentum going.”
Bangs finished with 366 rushing yards out of its 422 total yards, led by 212 yards and three touchdowns on the ground from quarterback Kenny Cole – who was named Class 2A Quarterback of the Week by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
“San Saba widen their outside backers and were really playing the short pass game, and they had one of their best players over our best receiver,” Cole said. “It made it more difficult to pass, but by doing that they really opened up the edge for the run. We took what they gave us. The linemen had their best night blocking of the season, and our receivers blocked extremely well. The whole team was very unselfish and worked hard at their blocking.”
The Dragons enter Friday’s contest averaging 23 points and 333 yards – 185 rushing and 148 passing – per outing.
Cole has completed 79 of 167 passes for 1,035 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 490 yards and five scores. Other weapons in the background include Ethan Ethridge (499 rushing yards, 6 TDs; 9-134, TD receiving), Hunter Hudnall (163 rushing yards), and Skylar Minshew (105 rushing yards, TD; 15-155 receiving). Additional receiving threats include Hunter Newton (32-464, 6 TDs) and Kade Minshew (14-217, TD).
Tolar counters with a defense that allows just 12 points per game with 12 takeaways. Leading the charge are Jaxon Riddle (57 tackles, 5 for loss), Drake Owens (53 tackles, 2 for loss), Cash Clark (40 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks), and Clayton Stembridge (35 tackles, 4 INTs).
The Rattlers offense, which produces 38 points and 283 yards – 188 rushing and 95 passing – is led by quarterback Isaac Blessing, who has completed 48 of 86 passes for 568 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 624 yards and eight more scores. Other threats include Garrison Nation (350 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 4-93, 2 TDs receiving), Matthew Behrens (14-144, 2 TDs receiving) and Stembridge (14-110 receiving).
The Bangs defense surrenders 43 points and 431 yards – 282 on the ground and 149 through the air – on average.
Standouts include Ethridge (48 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks), Hunter Crowell (47 tackles, 1 for loss), Cason Tidwell (37.5 tackles), Newton (30.5 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries), Skylar Minshew (18.5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Weston Scantling (16 tackles), Kade Minshew (15 tackles, 1 INT), Brody Newton (12.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), and Brayden Gatlin (10.5 tackles, 1 sack).
“It’s going to be tough, but our first goal is to make them punt the ball, along with scoring when we have it,” Cole said. “We’re going to start with small goals and try and build on them, but mostly I want the boys to compete and go in there and get after them even though they are really talented and highly-ranked.”
There is no line for this game according to Harris Ratings Weekly. Tolar is ranked 59 points higher than Bangs this week. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football lists the Dragons as 67-point underdogs.
***
Bangs Dragons 2023 Football Season Stats
Through 7 Games (2-5, 1-2)
TEAM OFFENSE
23.5 points per game (165)
333.0 yards per game (2,231)
185.1 rushing yards per game (1,296)
147.9 passing yards per game (1,035)
PASSING
* Kenny Cole
79 of 167 for 1,035 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs
RUSHING
* Ethan Ethridge
499 yards on 94 carries, 6 TDs
* Kenny Cole
490 yards on 93 carries, 5 TDs
* Hunter Hudnall
163 yards on 13 carries
* Skylar Minshew
105 yards on 26 carries, TD
* Navaeh Menefield
24 yards on 5 carries, TD
* Brayden Gatlin
2 yards on 1 carry
RECEIVING
* Hunter Newton
32 catches, 464 yards, 6 TDs
* Skylar Minshew
15 catches, 155 yards
* Kade Minshew
14 catches, 217 yards, TD
* Ethan Ethridge
9 catches, 134 yards, TD
* Brayden Gatlin
8 catches, 50 yards, TD
* Ethan Hager
2 catches, 19 yards
* Aden Jones
1 catch, 36 yards, TD
* Weston Scantling
1 catch, 4 yards
###
TEAM DEFENSE
43.1 points per game (302)
431.2 yards per game (3,019)
282.5 rushing yards per game (1,978)
148.7 passing yards per game (1,041)
TACKLES
* Ethan Ethridge
48 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks
* Hunter Crowell
47 tackles, 1 for loss
* Cason Tidwell
37.5 tackles
* Hunter Newton
30.5 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
* Skylar Minshew
18.5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
* Weston Scantling
16 tackles
* Kade Minshew
15 tackles, 1 INT
* Brody Newton
12.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
* Brayden Gatlin
10.5 tackles, 1 sack
* Damian Hudspeth
8.5 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack
* Hunter Hudnall
7.5 tackles
* Hunter Withers
6.5 tackles
* Sergio Lopez
6 tackles, 1 for loss
* Quade Angel
6 tackles
* Aden Jones
6 tackles
* Ethan Hager
5 tackles
* Noah Pin
4.5 tackles
* Kenny Cole
4 tackles
* Dwayne Lyon
2.5 tackles
* Cody Brooks
2 tackles
* Navaeh Menefield
1 tackle
* Chris Valdez
1 tackle
###
TURNOVER MARGIN (-0)
* Bangs: 8 (5 fumbles, 3 interceptions)
* Opponents: 8 (6 fumbles, 2 interceptions)