HAMILTON – Since picking up a 52-10 victory over the rival Bangs Dragons on opening night, the Early Longhorns have been unable to return to the win column. On Friday night, fourth-year head coach Daniel Price’s squad was dealt a third straight defeat by the Class 2A Division I Hamilton Bulldogs, 40-0.
Early (1-3) was limited to 170 yards of total offense – 92 rushing and 78 passing – with four turnovers as the Longhorns were kept off the scoreboard for the second straight game. Meanwhile, Hamilton – which chalked up its third win in a row – amassed 333 yards, with 264 coming on the ground, and only one turnover.
Kaleb Ozuna led the Longhorns’ ground game with 39 yards on 11 carries, Griffin Cheslock rushed for 31 yards on seven attempts, Rohyn Price chipped in 19 rushing yards on four carries, and Weston Barton added a 3-yard run.
Price was 5 of 13 through the air for 37 yards with three interceptions, while Barton connected on 3 of 8 passes for 41 yards and one pick.
Leading receivers for Early were Ki Houston with four grabs for 52 yards, Andrew Reed with three for 19, and Barton pulled down a 9-yard reception.
Izaac Wood led Hamilton with 133 yards on the ground, while quarterback Jaxon Edwards chipped in 38 yards rushing and a score, and Erich Eilers finished with 34 yards and reached the end zone once.
Through the air, Edwards connected on 4 of 7 passes with a pair of scoring strikes to Eilers and Cooper LeGrande.
The Longhorns are back on the road again next week at Class 4A Division I Burnet (2-2) – which is coming off a 35-7 win over Giddings Friday night – in the pre-district finale.
