By Travis Chapman
Opening week. The time that we can all pile in cars and head to support our favorite high school football teams. But for us, the Apaches reign supreme. The cars and stands were stacked up like cordwood with Red and Blue to cheer on the Apaches who massacred the Mariners of Magnolia School of Excellence by a score of 64-6. Thanks to Keith Jellum and Nick Rowton for giving me the updates and highlights in my absence.
The Mariners elected to receive the football to start the 2025 season. On the opening kick from Senior, Naci Morales, the Mariners received the kick around the 20-yard line and ran it all the way back for a touchdown nearly untouched. The Mariners were out front quickly, 6-0. But not to fear, here comes the Apache Spear!!
On the Apaches opening play of the game, Junior QB, Rowdy Ryan Reagan kept it for a 20-yard gain, but after some thwarted plays, the Apaches turned the ball over on downs. On the ensuing defensive possession, Colt-Man on Fire-Jellum beat his man and forced a fumble that Super Slade Lollar recovered. On the next offensive possession, Rowdy Ryan set the tempo and found Golden Gage White on a quick slant pass for a gain of 10 yards to pick up a first down. From this point on, the Apaches Fred Flintstoned the accelerator through the floorboard for several touchdowns.
Rowdy Ryan Reagan threw for 3-Touchdowns and rushed for another, all in the first half of the ball game. Big Huddy Glasscock blew through the giant hole made by Nolan Still for a 2pt conversion. With 6:36 left in the first quarter, Kleaton Davis found an oblong ball and fell on it for a fumble recovery to give the Apaches offense more life. With 6:31 in the first, Rowdy Ryan completed a 20-yard pass across the middle to Golden Gage.
Other defensive highlights of the night, Kenetic Kleaton Davis sacked the Mariner QB for a major loss of 8-yards. Shortly after the sack, Senior Apache DB, Crazy Connor Bolton nabbed his 1st interception of the night and returned it 40-yards to flip the field for the Apache offense. With the Apache Tribe onslaught, the Mariners attempted a fake punt to gain some sort of momentum, but the law firm of Slade, Colt & Kleaton, blew the fake punt out of the water and gave the Apaches the ball back in plus territory. With 10:25 left in 2nd quarter, Rowdy Ryan, who can really spin it, found the sure hands of Darron, The Dime Hollingsworth in the back of the endzone for another Apache touchdown. The 2-guard, CP-10 Carson Powell had multiple catches on the night.
The Beast, Carson Whitehead ran with a purpose all night and finally found pay dirt in the 4th quarter. Rowdy Ryan added to his stellar night with a 19-yard run for a touchdown and closed the half with a great save from a busted play to which he tossed another touchdown to The Dime Hollingsworth. By all accounts one of the most electrifying plays of the night was when Crazy Connor Bolton pulled down another interception, reached out and grabbed some yonder all the way back for a 70-yard touchdown.
The Apaches completely dominated the Mariners all game and led at the half 49-6. In the second half, the underclassmen got a ton of playing time with Freshman and Pine Hills CC Junior Club Champion of 2025 QB, Louie Collins and his crew made several great plays. The Apaches ran the ball great and defense was stifling in the second half as well. Your Apaches stretched the lead and scalped the Mariners 64-6.
Join us again next Friday at 7 p.m. at the end of Country Club Circle where your Apaches will face its first test of the season against a very talented 3-A Bossier Bearkat squad. The Bearkats have an outstanding running back that can make you pay quickly, but we know our Apache defense will be up to the task. What a great way to welcome back the new head ball coach, Greg Tibbitt to the Apache Tribe! IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN APACHE!
