One rule of football says that if a team keeps the ball away from its opponent’s offense, it improves its chances of winning. That rule didn’t apply in Huntingdon’s 44–6 win over Gibson County in Dyer. The Mustangs ran just nine offensive plays but scored 35 points on those plays. They also scored on a punt return and recorded a safety in the win.
All the Mustangs’ points came in the first half. The second half featured six-minute quarters with a running clock, and the Mustangs didn’t run an offensive play after halftime. They finished with their second-lowest offensive output of the year, rushing for 123 yards and passing for 104. The Mustang defense posted its best numbers of the season, holding the Pioneers to 23 rushing yards and 52 passing yards.
The Mustangs opened the game with a three-play, 54-yard drive, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Hayes Eubanks. Greyson Anderson added the extra point for a 7–0 lead.
Huntingdon recovered a Pioneer fumble at the Gibson County 19-yard line on the next possession. Kenton Smith scored on the first play, and Anderson’s PAT extended the lead to 14–0.
After forcing a Pioneer punt, the Mustangs started at midfield and scored in two plays. Smith connected with Garvin Kee for a 34-yard touchdown pass, and Anderson’s kick made it 21–0.
Huntingdon fielded a short punt at the Pioneer 40. Smith threw two passes—25 yards to Colt Wood and 15 yards to Tyreke Hutch—for another touchdown. Ethan Raffield converted the extra point, pushing the lead to 28–0.
K’Shun Carter returned a Pioneer punt 42 yards down the sideline for another score, and Raffield’s PAT made it 35–0 as the first quarter ended.
After another short Pioneer punt, Wood found a seam and ran 50 yards for a touchdown. Raffield’s extra point gave the Mustangs a 42–0 lead.
Huntingdon’s final two points came when Gibson County snapped the ball over the punter’s head and out of the end zone for a safety, extending the lead to 44–0.
The Pioneers held the ball for the final 12 minutes and scored on a 10-yard run by Isaiah Rice for the final margin.
The Mustangs host Riverside this Friday for the first of four straight home games to close the season. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
