TUSCOLA – The Early Longhorns, off to their best start to a football season in 45 years, were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten Friday night as defending state champion and top-ranked Jim Ned flexed its muscle in a 48-7 decision that opened District 3-3A Division I action for both teams.

Jim Ned (6-0, 1-0) scored the first five touchdowns of the game, including three in the first period, to seize control of the contest from the get-go. The Indians generated 417 yards of total offense, including 290 rushing, as Xavier Wishert led the assault with 205 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Early (5-1, 0-1) was limited to 163 yards of total offense and committed three turnovers – matching its pre-district total. The Longhorns were averaging 47 points and 414 yards per game coming into the contest, while giving up 11 points and 207 yards.

According to Big Country Preps, Early starting quarterback Jaxyn Price suffered a neck injury at the 3:10 mark of the second quarter. He was brought to an Abilene hospital as a precaution and was reported to have feeling and movement in all of his extremities.

Price completed just 3 of 9 passes for 15 yards with an interception before leaving the contest. Tucker Hale finished the game at quarterback and was 3 of 10 for 30 yards with a pair of picks. Jeremy Brown caught three passes for 39 yards for the Longhorns while Tre Beam finished with three grabs covering just 6 yards.

On the ground, Beam rushed for 103 yards for the Longhorns while Hale tacked on 21 yards and scored Early’s only touchdown on a 6-yard run with three seconds left in the first half.

Next week, the Longhorns host Breckenridge (2-4, 1-0) – a 44-29 winner over Clyde (0-6, 0-1) Friday night.