BANGS – The Bangs Dragons collected their first victory of the season, and the Jason Cole coaching era, with a resounding 42-6 homecoming triumph over the Grape Creek Eagles Friday night.

The Dragons (1-2) produced 368 yards of total offense – 201 passing and 167 rushing – with one turnover, while limiting Grape Creek (0-3) to 239 yards – 140 through the air and 99 on the ground – with two takeaways.

After a scoreless first quarter, Bangs grabbed a 14-6 halftime edge thanks to touchdown runs of 29 and 63 yards by Ethan Ethridge. The Dragons extended the advantage to 28-6 after three quarters as Ethridge added a 69-yard touchdown reception from Kenny Cole and Hunter Newton caught a 6-yard scoring toss from Cole as well. Bangs tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth as Newton caught another 12-yard touchdown from Cole and Navaeh Menefield scored on a 1-yard carry.

Ethridge rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and caught three passes for 107 yards and another score to pace the Bangs offense. Cole finished 8 of 12 for 201 yards with three scoring tosses and Newton grabbed three receptions for 53 yards with two trips to the end zone.

Also chipping in offensively were Menefield with 14 rushing yards, Hunter Hudnall with 10 yards on the ground, Skylar Minshew with a 34-yard catch, and Kade Minshew made a 7-yard reception.

Defensively for the Dragons, Hunter Crowell led the way with 10 tackles followed by nine tackles, including two for loss and a sack, from Ethridge. Weston Scantling finished with five tackles followed by four each from Cason Tidwell and Skylar Minshew.

Bangs will attempt to piece together its first win streak of the season next week as it hosts Merkel (2-1), which is coming off a 69-57 loss to Clyde, in the final game before the start of the District 5-2A Division I slate.