Bangs targets third consecutive victory in pre-district finale at Colorado City

September 25, 2025 at 8:00 am Derrick Stuckly

Jackson Edmisten (23) and the Dragon offense produces 37 points and 322 yards per game on average through the first four contests of the season {Photo courtesy of Brandi Klutts}

BANGS – The Bangs Dragons have already matched their 2024 victory total, and look to carry a three-game win streak into District 5-2A Division I action, but they first must knock off the Colorado City Wolves at 7 p.m. Friday.

Bangs (2-2) picked up a 71-0 victory over Abilene TLCA last week, a game in which the Dragons scored all their points in the first two quarters.

“Any time you can execute the way we did at home in front of a homecoming crowd, that’s awesome,” Bangs second-year head coach Colton Buzzard said in reflecting on the win. “TLCA is struggling with injuries over there and they’re young, but we needed to make sure we executed what we needed to in the first half. We’ve been on the other side of things when your season isn’t going your way, but I told them to make sure we keep our character and do what we do.”

Last week’s victory afforded the opportunity for Buzzard to play some Dragons who don’t normally receive a lot of game time most Friday nights.

“We got everybody in, some guys that haven’t gotten in this year,” Buzzard said. “Some of them made their first tackle or got their first carry. The guys were excited and played hard and that’s all your can ask. They’ve been here every day since two-a-days and for them to have fun and play on homecoming is awesome.”

Colorado City comes into Friday’s contest without a victory, having fallen to Seymour, 33-27; McCamey, 42-19; Tahoka, 40-6; and Grape Creek, 40-7. The Dragons started their two-game win streak with a 31-26 come-from-behind victory over Grape Creek.

“Colorado City spoiled our homecoming last year, beat us by one point, 37-36,” Buzzard said. “They have a young team but you can tell they’re getting better each week. We have to make sure we play our game and fire on all cylinders and travel well. It’s a long drive for us, but it’s a good test if we want to be a playoff team because we’re going to have to travel somewhere.”

Players to watch for the Wolves include quarterback Ace Mejia (302 passing yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs; 179 rushing yards, 4 TDs), running back Gavin Harbour (126 rushing yards), and receivers Davin Lara (11-83), Aidan Casares (8-66), Jadon Reyna (7-95, TD) and Brandon Lee (5-60, 2 TDs).

The Bangs defense enters the contest allowing 22 points and 246 yards – 131 passing and 115 rushing – per game, with 10 takeaways, as half of those came last week.

Standouts include Cason Tidwell (35 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception), Eliseo Rivas (31 tackles, 4 for loss), Jaxon Duncan (20 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Ryan Alqorum (20 tackles, 4 for loss), Brennan Mendieta (16 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception), Joaquin Rubio (15 tackles, 2 for loss), Kian Kelly (14 tackles, 2 for loss), Heath Laughlin (10 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack), Jayden Robinson (10 tackles), Connor Bible (9 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception), and Dayton Vrana (8 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries).

“Defensively I want to see fly to the football Friday night, make sure our eyes are where they need to be, read our keys, and execute what we’re supposed to,” Buzzard said.

On the flip side of the ball, the Bangs offense produces 37 points and 322 yards – 232 rushing and 90 passing – per outing, with three turnovers. The ground game is anchored by Tidwell (464 yards, 6 TDs), Jackson Edmisten (168 yards, TD) and Rivas (78 yards, TD). Quarterback Hunter Withers has connected on 11 of 18 passes for 158 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while leading receivers are Bible (7-175, 2 TDs), Rex Guerrero (7-61, TD), Tidwell (4-42), Rivas (3-10, TD) and Robinson (2-74).

“I want to be able to move the ball effectively on offense, handle our assignments correctly, take care of the football, and win the turnover battle,” Buzzard said of the Friday goals.

As for where the Dragons stand overall heading into the final contest before district competition, Buzzard said, “If we could be undefeated that would be great and that’s always everybody’s expectation, but if we can to district at 3-2, with a winning record, that’s a win for us. You want to go into district winning,so this is a big game for us going into our bye week next week in terms of momentum and preparing for the games that really matter.”

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the Dragons are 9-point favorites. Harris Ratings Weekly lists Bangs as a 31-point favorite.

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Bangs Dragons 2025 Football Season Stats

Through 4 Games (2-2)

TEAM OFFENSE

36.5 points per game (146)

322.3 yards per game (1,289)

231.8 rushing yards per game (927)

90.5 passing yards per game (362)

PASSING

* Jaxon Duncan

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

* Hunter Withers

11 of 18 for 158 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

RUSHING

* Cason Tidwell

464 yards on 87 carries, 6 TDs

* Jackson Edmisten

168 yards on 34 carries, 1 TD

* Eliseo Rivas

78 yards on 13 carries, 1 TD

* Brennan Mendieta

46 yards on 4 carries

* Dayton Vrana

34 yards on 4 carries

* Jaxon Duncan

27 yards on 6 carries, 1 TD

* Connor Bible

18 yards on 4 carries

* Damian Hudspeth

1 yard on 1 carry, 1 TD

* Hunter Withers

-5 yards on 6 carries, 3 TDs

RECEIVING

* Connor Bible

7 catches, 175 yards, 2 TDs

* Rex Guerrero

7 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD

* Cason Tidwell

4 catches, 42 yards

* Eliseo Rivas

3 catches, 10 yards, 1 TD

* Jayden Robinson

2 catch, 74 yards

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TEAM DEFENSE

22.2 points per game (89)

246.0 yards per game (984)

114.8 rushing yards per game (459)

131.2 passing yards per game (525)

TACKLES

* Cason Tidwell

35 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception

* Eliseo Rivas

31 tackles, 4 for loss

* Jaxon Duncan

20 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 fumble recovery

* Ryan Alqorum

20 tackles, 4 for loss

* Brennan Mendieta

16 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception

* Joaquin Rubio

15 tackles, 2 for loss

* Kian Kelly

14 tackles, 2 for loss

* Heath Laughlin

10 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack

* Jayden Robinson

10 tackles

* Connor Bible

9 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception

* Dayton Vrana

8 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries

* Kason Klutts

6 tackles

* Rex Guerrero

2 tackles

* Caleb Wagner

2 tackles, 1 for loss

* Colton Wagner

2 tackles

* Jace Duncan

1 tackle, 1 for loss

* Brandon Wommack

1 tackle

* Quentin Doll

1 tackle

* Jackson Edmisten

1 tackle

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TURNOVER MARGIN (+7)

* Bangs: 3 (1 fumble, 2 interceptions)

* Opponents: 10 (3 interceptions, 7 fumbles)