By russellBUSH
The Huntingdon Mustangs made short work of Gibson County Friday night, winning over the Pioneers 50-6 and found themselves tied with Martin Westview for the top spot in Region 7-2A with the Chargers and a date for first place in the region this Friday night with the Chargers at Paul Ward Stadium. Last season the region title was decided in Martin and this year the Chargers and Mustangs are both 3-0 in region play for the game this week.
The Mustangs found themselves in this position after an impressive first half performance against Gibson County. The Mustangs raced to a 50-0 lead at the half and the second half saw a shortened and continuously running clock in the second half of the game. The Mustangs piled up 387 yards of total offense in the first half and the defense completely slammed the door on the Pioneers as they held Gibson County to negative 42 yards of total offense.
The Mustangs also excelled on special teams and in the turnover category as the Mustangs returned a punt for a touchdown and had an interception for a touchdown and the Mustangs also scored points with their defense as they sacked Gibson County’s QB in the end zone for a safety. Elijah Flowers led the Mustangs in rushing with 85 yards on four carries and one TD and caught a 32-yard pass for a touchdown. Gray Eubanks ran for 20 yards and completed 5 of 5 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mustangs scored on their first five possessions of the first half with the first score coming on a three-yard run by Ashton Hutcherson. Cole Chafin gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead with the point after. The Mustangs took to the air on their second possession as Braxton Montes De Oca caught two passes for 58 yards with the second catch going for 30 yards and a touchdown. Chafin’s point after gave the Mustangs a 14-0 lead. The Mustangs final score of the first quarter came on a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown. The point after was missed and the score stood at 20-0 at the end of one.
The Mustangs started the second quarter with a one-play drive for a touchdown when Eubanks found Flowers down the middle of the field for a 32-yard scoring strike. Hutcherson ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 28-0. Easton Byars and Flowers combined on a sack in the end zone for a safety as the Mustangs lead stretched to 30-0. After the safety, Warbritton scored his second TD of the game as he scored on an 11-yard run and the Chafin point after gave the Mustangs a 37-0 lead.
C.J. Pelonero who had a fumble recovery for a TD earlier in the season against Houston County added a pick six to his resume as he intercepted a Pioneer pass and returned it 25 yards for a TD. Chafin then added the point after and a 44-0 lead for the Mustangs. Flowers then scored the last points of the game for the Mustangs on a one-yard run that was set up by a 61-yard jaunt on the prior play. The point after was missed and the Mustangs led at the half 50-0.
The Pioneers scored the last points of the game at the five-minute mark of the game on a seven-yard run. The Pioneers fumbled the snap on the point after and the Mustangs claimed a 50-6 win.
The Mustangs improved to 6-1 for the season and 3-0 in the region. The Mustangs face Westview this Friday and have a bye week following Friday’s game before finishing their season on the road at Trenton and Union City.
