After only scoring nine points and rushing for 107 yards last week against Milan, the Mustangs bounced back with 355 yards of total offense and defeated Halls 49-6 to improve to 3-1 for the season and 1-1 in Region 7-2A. The Mustangs also intercepted two passes, returned one for a touchdown for the second week in a row, and held the Tigers to 46 rushing yards and 14 of 26 passes for 155 yards.
The Mustangs scored three times in the first half. Their first touchdown came after a Tiger punt. On the second play from scrimmage, Tyreke Hutch scampered 42 yards to paydirt. Greyson Anderson drilled the first of his seven PATs on the night for a 7-0 lead.
The defense then forced another punt and gave the Mustangs the ball at midfield. They drove to the Tiger 12 before fumbling, but Hayes Eubanks intercepted a pass on second down and returned it 16 yards for a score. Anderson made it 14-0 with the extra point.
After another Tiger punt, the Mustangs took over at the Halls 47. Six plays later, sophomore Colt Wood broke through for an 11-yard touchdown run. Anderson stayed perfect, and the Mustangs carried a 21-0 lead late in the second quarter.
The Tigers answered with their only scoring drive of the game, moving 69 yards in 11 plays. Quarterback Jackson Booker completed four passes on the drive, including an 18-yard strike to Caden Pipus for the touchdown. The extra point missed, and the halftime score stood at 21-6.
The Mustangs opened the second half with possession and needed only four plays to score. Hutch broke free for his second touchdown of the night on a 39-yard run, and Anderson’s kick made it 28-6.
The defense held Halls on downs at the Mustang 29. On second down, Eubanks sprinted 21 yards to the end zone. Anderson’s PAT stretched the lead to 35-6.
Halls then mounted a 12-play drive to the Mustang nine, but the defense held. The Mustangs covered 91 yards in 10 plays and scored on Kenton Smith’s 24-yard run early in the fourth quarter. Anderson added the point for a 42-6 advantage.
Lucas Smith intercepted Booker at the Tiger 13, and two plays later Kenton Smith scored again on an eight-yard run. Anderson capped the night with his seventh PAT for the 49-6 win.
Hutch led the Mustangs with 133 yards on six carries. Eubanks added 103 yards on 10 carries, and Smith chipped in 62 yards on nine carries.
The Mustangs finally return home Friday night to Paul Ward Stadium, where they will host JCM in a Region 7-2A matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
