Kickoff between Bangs (0-1) and Comanche (1-0), ranked No. 25 in Class 3A Division II this week by Harris Ratings Weekly, is set for 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. The Dragons are playing their second straight game at home while the Indians take to the road for the first time.
In the loss to Early, Bangs struck first on a 77-yard touchdown run by Guy Powell and trailed just 22-20 late in third period but was unable to complete the upset bid.
“After looking at film, we did some really good things and kept battling,” said Bangs fifth-year head coach Kyle Maxfield. “We got within two points and didn’t convert, it was 22-20, and they took control and we ran out of gas on defense after that. Our effort was good and there’s definitely something to build on.”
Offensively, the Dragons finished with 217 yards – 159 rushing and 58 passing – but committed three turnovers. Powell rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries, quarterback Kenny Cole completed 6 of 22 passes for 57 yards with a pair of interceptions, and Guy Funk finished with a team-best 41 receiving yards on two receptions.
“Guy (Powell) got off to a good start and our quarterback settled down and made some good throws, but we have to improve in all areas of offense and be more efficient,” Maxfield said. “Two plays that were huge were scoring opportunities for us that ended up in turnovers.”
On the defensive end, the Dragons yielded 504 yards – 254 rushing and 252 passing – but created a pair of turnovers, including a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown by Nate Stoffer. Ethan Ethridge, Keygan Pitts, and Stoffer led the Dragons with 10 tackles apiece followed by Powell with six tackles and a fumble recovery, and Weston Jundt with three takedowns.
“As far as defense, I thought we tackled pretty well for the first game and ran to the ball well,” Maxfield said. “We played good team defense and didn’t give up any big pass plays, which was an Achilles heel for us last year. We did give up some big run plays, but I think that was due to us being tired in the fourth quarter.”
In Comanche’s lopsided 49-7 victory over Brady, the Indians jumped out to a 36-0 lead at halftime.
Comanche generated 441 yards of total offense – 302 rushing and 139 passing.
Sawyer Wilkerson rushed for a team-high 103 yards for Comanche and scored on carries of 3 and 23 yards. Cayden Davis chipped in 94 yards, including a 57-yard scoring sprint, and Zeke Medrano tacked on 55 yards with a 22-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Layden Welch connected on 6 of 10 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns – a 12-yarder to Miguel Martinez and an 11-yarder to Kyler Beaty. Welch also rushed for 46 yards.
Martinez led the way with five receptions for 127 yards, Beaty’s lone catch was for a touchdown and Isaac Morales tacked on a 2-yard reception from Davis.
Carlos Esquivel booted field goals of 29 and 40 yards for the Indians.
Defensively, Medrano registered 17 tackles for the Indians followed by Ayden Fishback with 10, Pierson Sorrells with nine, and Dom Rios with eight.
“Coach (Jake) Escobar is in his second year, and I knew they’d be much improved, and they really controlled the game against Brady on both sides of the ball at the line of scrimmage,” Maxfield said. “It’s going to be a big test for us because they’re athletic and they can run, and they play solid, aggressive defense. It’s going to be another big challenge for the Dragons.”
Regarding what the Dragons will need to do to come away with a win Friday, Maxfield said, “They run the ball really well, so we have to try and slow down their run game. They’ll run it and get you drawn in and then try and hit you over the top, so we have to be disciplined about that, but it has to start with stopping the run.”
Offensively, Maxfield said, “We have to take care of the ball and throw and catch better. On most of our play passes we either had protection breakdowns or dropped balls or a missed throw. We just need to improve on that.”
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Bangs is a 14-point underdog.
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Bangs Dragons 2022 Football Season Stats
Through 1 Game (0-1)
TEAM OFFENSE
20 points per game (20)
217 yards per game (217)
159 rushing yards per game (159)
58 passing yards per game (57)
PASSING
* Kenny Cole
6 of 22 for 57 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
RUSHING
* Guy Powell
110 yards on 9 carries, 1 TD
* Hunter Newton
26 yards on 1 carry
* Keygan Pitts
13 yards on 1 carry
* Kenny Cole
10 yards on 3 carries, 1 TD
RECEIVING
* Guy Funk
2 catches, 41 yards
* Skylar Minshew
2 catches, 7 yards
* Hunter Newton
1 catch, 10 yards
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TEAM DEFENSE
34 points per game (34)
506 yards per game (506)
254 rushing yards per game (184)
252 passing yards per game (252)
TACKLES
* Nate Stoffer
10 tackles, 1 interception
Ethan Ethridge
10 tackles
Keygan Pitts
10 tackles
Guy Powell
6 tackles 1 fumble recovery
Weston Jundt
3 tackles
Chris Valdez
2 tackles
Brody Newton
2 tackles
Isaiah Serrato
1 tackle
Hunter Newton
1 tackle
Zack Ferguson
1 tackle
Skylar Minshew
1 tackle
Noah Pin
1 tackle
David Herrera
1 tackle
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TURNOVER MARGIN (-1)
* Bangs: 3 (1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions)
* Opponents: 2 (1 fumble, 1 interception)