Dragons jump back into playoff chase with 41-38 win over San Saba

October 14, 2023 at 10:22 am Updated: October 14th, 2023 at 1:47 pm Derrick Stuckly

Quarterback Kenny Cole (10) rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns as Bangs (2-5, 1-2) picked up 366 yards on the ground and 422 total yards in its first District 5-2A Division I victory of the season. [File photo courtesy of Dee Hail – Be Okay Photography]

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BANGS – With their postseason chances beginning to slip through their fingertips, the Bangs Dragons secured their most important victory under first-year head coach Jason Cole, snapping a three-game skid with their first District 5-2A Division I victory, 41-38 over the San Saba Armadillos Friday night.

Tied at 14 after one quarter, Bangs (2-5, 1-2) opened a 28-20 halftime lead over San Saba (2-6, 1-3). The Armadillos claimed a 32-28 advantage in the third period, but the Dragons tallied two of the final three touchdowns to rally for the win.

Bangs did most of its damage on the ground Friday night as of its 422 yards of total offense, 366 came via the rushing attack. Leading the charge on the ground was quarterback Kenny Cole, who compiled 212 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries, while also completing 6 of 8 passes for 56 yards with an interception.

Ethan Ethridge tacked on 75 rushing yards and a touchdown, Skylar Minshew picked up 48 yards on the ground and scored once, and Hunter Hudnall contributed 21 yards to the ground game.

Through the air, Hunter Newton was limited to 8 receiving yards on three catches, Skylar Minshew caught two passes for 34 yards, and Brayden Gatlin pulled down a 14-yard reception.

The Armadillos manufactured 354 yards – 293 rushing and 61 passing – fueled by 187 yards on the ground and three touchdowns from Ethan Gonzales, to go along with 106 rushing yards and two scores from Lane Miller. Gonzales added three catches for 52 yards as Miller completed 4 of 7 passes for 61 yards. Skylar Romero added a 9-yard catch.

Standouts for the Bangs defense included Cason Tidwell with 8 tackles and a forced fumble; Ethridge with 6.5 tackles; Kade Minshew with 5 tackles; Damian Hudspeth with 4.5 tackles; Brody Newton with 4.5 tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery at the Dragon 1 following a failed quarterback sneak attempt by San Saba; Hunter Crowell with 4 tackles; 2 tackles each for Hunter Newton and Skylar Minshew; 1.5 apiece for Gatlin and Weston Scantling; and 1 each for Aden Jones, Quade Angel and Hudnall.

For the Armadillos, Gonzales logged 11 tackles and a fumble recovery, Juan Patino and Winton Lackey each tallied 10 takedowns, and Romero picked off a pass.

Next week, Bangs heads to No. 3 Tolar (6-1, 3-0), which manhandled De Leon (6-2, 3-1) by a 44-8 count Friday night. Meanwhile, San Saba hosts rival Goldthwaite (3-4, 1-2) – which had a bye Friday – in the annual “Battle of the River.”