BANGS – The Bangs Dragons shook off a season-opening loss to the rival Early Longhorns and rebounded with a 20-14 home triumph over the Class 3A Division II Merkel Badgers Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

The victory was the first for Bangs (1-1) under head coach Colton Buzzard, who is in the midst of his first season in the role.

Against Merkel (0-2), the Dragons overcame a pair of fumbles as they generated 229 yards of total offense, with 207 coming on the ground.

Aden Jones rushed for a team-best 103 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Brayden Gatlin chipped in 72 yards on 16 totes and scored once.

Through the air, Hunter Withers connected on 1 of 6 passes for 22 yards, that going to Conner Bible, who also rushed for 8 yards on one carry.

Jackson Edmiston rushed for 19 yards on four carries, while Skylar Minshew added 11 yards on the ground on six rushes.

Bangs also added a defensive touchdown for the second week in a row as Eliseo Rivas scored following a fumble recovery. Withers and Noah Castillo also recovered fumbles for the Dragons defense.

Hunter Crowell recorded a team-high nine tackles followed by Gatlin with four and Bible and Rivas with three each.

The Dragons also recorded five sacks – two by Castillo and one apiece by Rivas, Crowell and Nevaeh Menefield, who finished with 1.5 tackles.

Next week, the Dragons hit the road for the first time as they venture to Grape Creek, which is 0-2 after a 34-20 loss to Reagan County Friday night.