Hughes Springs honors seniors, defeat Hooks, 39-16

By TONI WALKER

HUGHES SPRINGS -- What began with celebration of the Class of 2018 ended with the Hughes Springs Mustangs with 4-0 record on the season. The Mustangs capped off Senior Night with a 39-16 shellacking of the Hooks Hornets.

In a game that never really was that close, the Mustangs scored first the first 16 points of the game in the second quarter. With a minute and half left in the quarter, the Hornets made a dent in the deficit, but the Mustangs would hold on for a halftime lead of 16-8.

The teams swapped scores in the third quarter, with the Mustangs maintaining a 24-16 cushion over Hooks. Hughes Springs would score two more times in the fourth to give the final margin of 39-16.

Offensively, quarterback Andrew Gaul was one for three passing, with Chandler King with the reception for five yards.

The Mustangs offense remained potent on the ground, putting up 426 rushing yards on the night. Tradarian Craver was again the workhorse, rushing 21 times for 156 yards. Ty Menefee added 74 yards on three attempts, while Ja-Kobie Craver rushed nine times for 73 yards. Bryce Johnston rushed 11 times, adding 55 yards on the night, while Gaul and Isaiah Bolden each accounted for 32 yards on the ground.

Harrison Reagan led the way defensively for the Mustangs, notching 35 tackles. T. Craver helped out on defense with 28tackles, Gaul added 25, and Trayvon Kennedy added 24 tackles on the night. Triston Hickey recovered a fumble and snagged an interception, while Bolden added a fumble recovery and Menefee added two interceptions for the Mustang defense that only allowed 177 total yards.

The Mustangs will visit Garrison on Sept. 29 to finish up their non-didstrict schedule. They will open district play at White Oak on October 13, following their off week Oct.

6. The Mustangs will return home on Oct. 20, when the welcome district opponent Jefferson to town.