MERKEL – Momentum shifts were the theme of the night, but when Friday concluded the Bangs Dragons had one too few in their favor as they suffered a 29-26 road loss to the Merkel Badgers.

Down 7-6 after one quarter, Bangs (0-2) grabbed a 20-13 halftime advantage, only for Merkel (2-0) to surge back in front, 21-20, heading to the fourth period.

The Dragons, who were looking to rebound from last week’s 35-18 opening loss to rival Early, produced 427 yards of total offense – 285 rushing and 142 passing.

Cason Tidwell led the ground game with 183 yards and two touchdowns for Bangs, while Jackson Edmisten chipped in 50 yards rushing and Eliseo Rivas contributed 35 yards on the ground and a trip to the end zone.

Through the air, Jaxon Duncan completed 7 of 14 passes for 142 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Connor Bible caught two passes for 45 yards, Tidwell added two grabs for 23 yards, Jayden Robinson hauled in a 55-yard reception, Rex Guerrero made a 15-yard catch and Rivas scored on a 4-yard grab.

The Badgers generated 235 yards – 157 rushing and 78 rushing – as Easton Malone completed 13 of 19 passes with four touchdowns, and ran for a team-best 37 yards.

Kaden Blubaugh finished with four receptions for 60 yards, Mayson Prieto caught four passes for 40 yards with two touchdowns, Rayson Houston added three receptions for 30 yards with two trips to the end zone, and Eli Delgado pulled down a 29-yard catch.

Defensive standouts for Bangs included Tidwell with eight tackles, Rivas with five and one for loss, Bible with four, Duncan and Ryan Alqorum with three apiece, and Joaquin Rubio, Brennan Mendieta, and Robinson each with a pair of tackles.

The Dragons will kick off the home portion of their schedule next week as they welcome Grape Creek (1-1), which knocked off Reagan County, 38-16, Friday night.