By Travis Chapman
Friday night showed a homecoming monster crowd and a bounce back for the Apaches as they dominated the Lions of Plain Dealing, 50-0.
After the outstanding crowning of the Homecoming Queen and her court, the Apaches were set to take the kickoff, but the Lions capitalized on the onside kick that ricocheted off the Apache front. The Apaches’ defense pushed the Lions backwards. On third and long, the Apache defense forced a fumble that Sugar Slade Lollar fell on. The Apaches took over on the 29-yard line of the Lions. The first play from scrimmage, Rowdy Ryan Reagan found Darron the Dime Hollingsworth for a touchdown on a WR screen. The Apaches led early 6-0 with 11:03 left in the first.
The Lions took over on their own 40 after the squib kick from Morales. Colt Jellum and Davis Powell tag team tackled the Lions’ running back. Huddy Glasscock made his presence known with a big tackle for loss. Sugar Slade and Man on Fire Jellum combined for another team tackle to force the Lions to punt.
The Apaches took over on their own 42. Carson Whitehead shoved Lions off as he blasted through the A gap for 12 yards. Rowdy Reagan found Golden Gage on a tight end release roll out for a 28-yard gain. The Apaches faced a 3rd and 5 after a holding penalty backed up a big gain. Rowdy Reagan found The CP10, Carson Powell from 22 yards out with an absolute DOT in the corner of the end zone for another touchdown. The 2 point try was successful with The Dime Hollingsworth running behind a host of blockers. The Apaches led at the 6-minute water break of the first 14-0.
On the ensuing Lions’ possession, the Lions QB had a man open, but Conner Bolton made a great play to knock the pass down. The Lions punted to the Apaches who took over on the 50-yard line. Nolan Still paved the way for The Beast Whitehead to pick up 18 yards. A perfectly executed RPO (Run-Pass-Option) from Reagan to Golden Gage found a gain of 25 yards for an Apache first down. The Tush Push (made famous by the Philly Eagles) made its debut at Apache stadium where a host of Apaches pushed Reagan into the end zone. The Apaches led 22-0 after Golden Gage blazed into the end zone with 4:37 left in first quarter.
The Apaches recovered the onside kick and setup shop at the Lion 42! Golden Gage White continued his display of outstanding athleticism and golden hands and picked up 20 yards. Ryder Malone, not to be outdone by his sister, Peyton…who has “run from the cops speed” and topped 100 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns in the powderpuff game the night prior, got his hands on the ball for a gain of 13 yards. That set up the clicking offense inside the red zone. Carson Whitehead had an all-out sprint to the corner of the end zone for the Apache score from 22 yards out. Extra point from Morales was good, 29-0 with 2:17 left in the first.
Lions took over on their 37 after a great kick from Sam Scroggs. T Bubba Edwards stuck his pads and made a great stop for no gain. On the third down, 8th grader, Tae Morris made a great break on the ball and nabbed the ball with an over the shoulder catch from the Lion QB. The Apaches took over on their own 40. Whitehead continued his power running and moved the chains for the Apaches. Rowdy to Golden Gage was a common theme as the 2 connected again from a deep pass over the middle. White nearly scored but was wrapped up at the 4-yard line. Nevertheless, Davis Powell punched it in behind great blocking for the Apache TD. The Apaches led 36-0. Sam Scroggs made another great kick where the Lions took over on their own 23. Colt-Man on Fire-Jellum made a great pursuit and absolutely obliterated the Lion running back from the middle linebacker spot. The Lions punted and the Apaches took over on the Lion 41. Holden Williams moved the chains on consecutive plays for the Apaches. On 4th and 10, Reagan dropped an absolute dime, to the Dime himself for the Apaches’ touchdown from 35 yards out! Morales kicked it through. The Apaches led 42-0 with 5:34 left in first half. Naci Morales showed he can play a little defense as well and made a huge tackle for loss on a blitz and forced a third down and a cab ride. 8th grader, Ace Rolen nearly came down with an interception himself and forced a Lion punt. Huddy Glasscock toted the rock like a sack of grenades and nearly scored in two plays as he picked up 52 yards on the ground before half. Apaches led 43-0 at halftime.
Apaches spirit groups showed out with great performances by the Cheerleaders, Sun Dancers and Drum Line. Apache fans also honored all the returning senior classes as many of them filled the football field up!
The second half had the clock running continuously with the Apaches up 43-0. Channing Rainey made a great tackle for loss from the end to force a 3rd and long. The Apaches nearly picked up a fumble and forced a punt. Louie Collins trotted out at the helm and called his own number on first down and picked up 17 yards. Holden Williams toted the rock and picked up 11-yards after the holding penalty to put the Apaches in great position. Big brother, Connor Williams had his turn and rushed around the edge from 15 yards out for the final Apache score. The Apaches led 50-0 with the running clock. On the ensuing defensive set for the Apaches, Big Bad-Hunter Bell tackled a Lion so hard it blew the sole smooth out his shoes! Day-Day Powell chased the Lion QB out of bounds to force a punt from the Lions. 8th Grader, Braxton Tibbitt came out to run the offense for the Apaches with 6:50 left in the game to get the heavy 8th grader and freshman squad some playing time and experience. Kleaton Davis came down with a big interception to give the young Apaches the ball in plus territory. After some extracurricular activities, the Lions’ coaches pulled their players off the field and onto the bus to end the game with 2 minutes remaining. The Apaches won on Homecoming, 50-0.
Join us next THURSDAY, 10/9/25 in Arcadia as the young Apaches look to make it two district wins in a row against the Hornets at 7 p.m. Let’s show up and show out for our Apaches! IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN APACHE!!
