Bangs sets sights on win streak as Abilene TLCA visits for homecoming

September 18, 2025 at 8:00 am Derrick Stuckly

Hunter Withers (10) and the Dragon (1-2) offense is averaging 25 points and 314 yards per game {Photo courtesy of Brandi Klutts}

BANGS – After rallying from 11 points at halftime last week to claim their first victory of 2025, the Bangs Dragons look to even their overall record and begin a win streak as they host the Abilene TLCA Eagles for homecoming.

Friday’s kickoff between the Dragons (1-2) and Eagles (0-3) is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Trailing 14-3 a halftime last week, Bangs emerged with a 31-26 victory over Grape Creek, flipping the script from the 2024 where the Dragons witnessed a four-touchdown half lead evaporate in a 38-27 defeat.

“Hats off to our kiddos and how they came back and fought through that second half,” said Bangs second-year head coach Colton Buzzard. “It was a battle, a roller coaster ride for sure. They got up on us 14-3 at halftime and the kids battled back, fought hard and stepped up to the challenge at halftime and we came out victorious.”

Offensively, the Dragons rushed for 198 of their 212 total yards, with most coming in the second half as Cason Tidwell compiled 133 yards and three more touchdowns.

“We didn’t get a lot of push the first half against their defensive line which is big, but in the second half our offensive line was able to move them a little bit,” Buzzard said. “We created some separation between them and the line of scrimmage and we were able to run the ball effectively in the second half.”

Defensively, Bangs created four turnovers as Tidwell, Jaxon Duncan, Brennan Mendieta and Dayton Vrana each scooped up a loose ball.

“We had a guys punch of couple of ball out, strip a couple of balls, and we came up with a few turnovers,” Buzzard said. “Turnovers are hard to come by, some any time you get multiple turnovers you expect to win the game. We harp on getting turnovers, creating havoc and flying to the football and only good things can happen if you’re flying to the football.

Abilene TLCA is off to a winless start and had to forfeit its Week 3 contest to Haskell due to a rash of injuries. Prior to that, the Eagles dropped contests to Munday, 53-13, in Week 1, and Cross Plains, 75-8, in Week 2.

In the loss to Cross Plains, TLCA yielded 483 yards of total offense, including 458 rushing, while producing just 26 total yards, including -38 yards on the ground.

Offensively this season, the Eagles are led by quarterback Tyler Johnston (6 of 20 for 95 yards, TD) Manuel Rios (5 of 15 for 74 yards, TD; 4-84, TD receiving), who has seen time at both quarterback and receiver, running backs Ezequiel Saldana (84 rushing yards) and Johnny Zapata (59 rushing yards) and receiver Andraes Collins (3-72).

“They’re going to try and play their best,” Buzzard said. “They’re coming off a lot of injuries, they didn’t get to play last week because of the injury bug, but their coach said they’re healed up and ready to go. We just need to go out and there and execute what we need to get done and play our game. If we do that, we’ll be just fine.”

The Bangs offense is averaging 25 points and 314 yards – 230 on the ground and 84 through the air – per outing, with three turnovers.

Hunter Withers returned to the start lineup at quarterback last week and rushed for a pair of touchdowns and has also completed 7 of 13 passes for 47 yards with an interception. Tidwell anchors the rushing attack with 464 yards and six touchdowns, Jackson Edmisten has tacked on 132 yards and Eliseo Rivas has rushed for 78 yards and a score. Leading receivers include Connor Bible (6-118, TD), Rex Guerrero (6-29), Tidwell (4-42), Rivas (2-7, TD) and Jayden Robinson (1-55).

Defensively, Bangs surrenders 30 points and 328 yards – 175 passing and 153 rushing – on average, with five takeaways this season.

Standouts include Tidwell (27 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Rivas (24 tackles, 4 for loss), Duncan (15 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Ryan Alqorum (14 tackles, 1 for loss), Kian Kelly (12 tackles, 1 for loss), Joaquin Rubio (12 tackles), and Mendieta (11 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries).

Regarding area in which he hopes to see improvement Friday night, Buzzard said, “Offensively, we obviously want to execute up front, but we’d like to open up the game and work on our passing some this week. Defensively, just keep creating turnovers and flying to the football, which we’ve done a good job with that. Special teams-wise, this past week we converted all but one of our two-point conversions and we were able to kick a field goal. We’ve been working hard on our special teams so if we can keep that momentum going we’ll be all right.”

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Bangs is a 23-point favorite. There is no line for the game in Harris Ratings Weekly, though the Dragons are ranked 63 points higher than TLCA.

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Bangs Dragons 2025 Football Season Stats

Through 3 Games (1-2)

TEAM OFFENSE

25.0 points per game (75)

313.6 yards per game (941)

230.0 rushing yards per game (690)

83.6 passing yards per game (251)

PASSING

* Jaxon Duncan

12 of 20 for 204 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

* Hunter Withers

7 of 13 for 47 yards, 1 INT

RUSHING

* Cason Tidwell

464 yards on 87 carries, 6 TDs

* Jackson Edmisten

132 yards on 31 carries

* Eliseo Rivas

78 yards on 13 carries, 1 TD

* Connor Bible

18 yards on 4 carries

* Jaxon Duncan

8 yards on 4 carries, 1 TD

* Hunter Withers

-6 yards on 5 carries, 2 TDs

RECEIVING

* Connor Bible

6 catches, 118 yards, 1 TD

* Rex Guerrero

6 catches, 29 yards

* Cason Tidwell

4 catches, 42 yards

* Eliseo Rivas

2 catches, 7 yards, 1 TD

* Jayden Robinson

1 catch, 55 yards

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TEAM DEFENSE

29.7 points per game (89)

328.0 yards per game (984)

153.0 rushing yards per game (459)

175.0 passing yards per game (525)

TACKLES

* Cason Tidwell

27 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery

* Eliseo Rivas

24 tackles, 4 for loss

* Jaxon Duncan

15 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery

* Ryan Alqorum

14 tackles, 1 for loss

* Kian Kelly

12 tackles, 1 for loss

* Joaquin Rubio

12 tackles

* Brennan Mendieta

11 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries

* Connor Bible

8 tackles, 1 for loss

* Jayden Robinson

7 tackles

* Dayton Vrana

6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

* Heath Laughlin

6 tackles

* Colton Wagner

2 tackles

* Kason Klutts

2 tackles

* Brandon Wommack

1 tackle

* Quentin Doll

1 tackle

* Jackson Edmisten

1 tackle

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TURNOVER MARGIN (+2)

* Bangs: 3 (1 fumble, 2 interceptions)

* Opponents: 5 (5 fumbles)