The Allen Mustangs rushed their way to a huge win Friday, September 11 ^th , versus the Stratford Bulldogs, 39-6.

“We ran the ball very well,” Head Coach Rob Green said, “and they were really never able to stop our running game. We were very pleased with the improvement from week one to week two.”

And with the offense clicking so well, the Mustangs only had to punt one time.

Green was impressed with the defense as well, which held the Bulldogs to just one score. Also, Green said another good thing about such a game was the fact that everyone on the team got some valuable playing time.

The Mustangs were first on the board after freshman Brayden Tatum had a long rush of 41 yards for a touchdown just a few minutes into the first quarter. The PAT kick attempt was unsuccessful, however.

But Stratford answered with a touchdown of its own on a 25-yard pass for a touchdown. After a failed PAT kick, the score was knotted at six.

Allen jumped back into the lead with about four minutes left in the first when Tatum again scored on a rush, that time for 20 yards. After freshman quarterback Garrett Nix rushed for a two-point conversion, the score was 14-6, Allen.

It was near the end of the first half when Allen scored again. With about 1:45 left in the second quarter, Nix rushed for a two-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, however.

The players headed to the locker rooms at halftime with Allen up 20-6.

The Tatum-Nix show continued in the third quarter when Tatum returned the opening kick 97 yards to the house. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the score was 26-6, Mustangs.

With just over five minutes left in the third, Nix scored a touchdown on a 10-yard rush. Senior Clayton Shackleford kicked the PAT to make the score 33-6, Allen.

Allen’s final score came in the fourth when Nix rushed for 20 yards early in the quarter. The PAT kick was unsuccessful, however, bringing the final score to 39-6, Allen.

The Mustangs (1-1/0-0) will host the Canadian Cougars (1-1/0-0) Friday for Allen’s Homecoming Game. The non-district game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Game Statistics - Offense Rushing

Garrett Nix kept the ball 20 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns, while Brayden Tatum rushed 13 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Emmett Koonce rushed once for eight yards and Brayden Griffith had five rushes for nine yards.

Passing

Garrett Nix completed two of five passes for 36 yards and one interception.

Receiving

Quinton Walker caught one pass for 23 yards, while Brayden Tatum had one grab for 13 yards.

Game Statistics - Defense

Brayden Tatum led the team in solo tackles with four, along with one assist, while senior Gage Husband had three solo tackles and eight assists.

Other players with tackles and assists were Garrett Nix, 3-2; sophomore Quinton Walker, 3-2; sophomore Tagus Howard, 2-6; junior Brody Wallis, 2-3; sophomore Coyt Bell, 2-1; Davyn Wilson, 2-1; sophomore Jake Hisaw, 0-2; senior Kylan Sanders, 0-1; senior Brayden Griffith, 0-2; senior Rodey Arnold, 0-5; Clayton Shackleford, 0-1; senior Josh Slater, 0-1; junior Will Kaminski, 0-1; and freshman Lance Johnson, 0-1.

Standout Plays

Caden Howard and Brayden Tatum each intercepted the ball, while Tagus Howard sacked the quarterback one time.