Bangs returns favor, rallies in second half to upend Grape Creek, 31-26

September 13, 2025 at 1:43 pm Updated: September 13th, 2025 at 2:37 pm Derrick Stuckly

The Dragons (1-2) outscored Grape Creek (1-2) by a 28-12 count in the second half to avenge last year’s 38-27 loss, a game Bangs led 27-0 at halftime. (Photo courtesy of Brandi Klutts)

BANGS – The Bangs Dragons flipped the script in their 2025 rematch with the Grape Creek Eagles, rallying from a double-digit halftime deficit Friday night to notch their first victory of the season, 31-26.

In 2024, Bangs owned a 27-0 halftime lead over Grape Creek, only to suffer a 38-27 road loss.

Friday night, the Dragons (1-2) were down to the Eagles (1-2) by a 14-3 count at halftime. Bangs closed the gap to 20-11 through three quarters, then owned a 20-6 scoring advantage during the final quarter to complete the comeback.

Bangs finished with 212 total yards, including 198 on the ground, as Cason Tidwell again led the Dragons with 133 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Jackson Edmisten tacked on 38 yards rushing, Eliseo Rivas picked up 33 yards on the ground and quarterback Hunter Withers tacked on a pair of short rushing scores.

Through the air, Withers completed 3 of 8 passes for 14 yards – 10 yards to Tidwell, 3 yards to Rivas, and 1 yard to Rex Guerrero.

Defensive standouts included Jaxon Duncan with seven tackles and one for loss, followed by Dayton Vrana with six tackles, Ryan Alqorum and Heath Laughlin with five apiece, and Joaquin Rubio with four tackles.

Next week, the Dragons are scheduled to host Abilene TLCA (0-3) – which forfeited its game to Haskell Friday night – for homecoming.