The Sudan Hornets’ varsity football team closed out the predistrict schedule with a road victory over the Plains Cowboys, taking the contest, 40-0.
With the win, the Hornets head into district play with a mark of 32 overall on the season.
After both teams went scoreless in the opening frame, the Hornets broke the tie to begin quarter number two, as junior quarterback, Caleb Groetken, connected with senior receiver, Jaibryn Ornelas, for a 14-yard touchdown pass. The PAT from Groetken was no good, leaving the score, 6-0. Senior running back, Marcello King, followed it up with a 33-yard touchdown and this time the PAT from Groetken was good, pushing the lead to, 13-0.
Later in the second quarter, Ornelas picked off the Cowboys, returning it for a 19-yard pick-six. The PAT was good from Groetken, stretching their lead to, 20-0. Ornelas would find the endzone for a third time later in the quarter, as he caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Groetken, extending their lead to, 27-0, after the PAT.
Angel Martinez would close out the first half with a 21-yard touchdown run, followed by the PAT to make the score, 34-0, going into the locker room at halftime.
In the third quarter, Martinez would find the endzone again on a 13-yard rushing touchdown, making the score, 40-0, after the failed two-point conversion. The score would stand, as Sudan preserved the shutout victory over the Cowboys.
Offensively, Groetken was 3-6 passing for 88 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while also adding seven carries for 56 yards.
In the rushing game, King led the way with seven carries for 108 yards and one touchdown, while Martinez tallied six carries for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Cal Carter also had two carries for 20 yards and Kasen Kauffman tallied two carries for 14 yards.
Ornelas led the receiving attack with two catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while King caught one pass for 19 yards.
Defensively, Ornelas tallied four tackles and a pick- six, while Aybran Granados led the Hornets with two tackles, including two for loss and one sack. Javier Avila tallied 10 tackles, two for loss and one sack, while Derek Rosa contributed nine tackles, four for loss and one sack. Kauffman chipped in nine tackles, one for loss and one sack as well.
Westen Cannon added two tackles, one for loss and a sack, and King, Aspen Reyher and Kincaid Boehning each finished with six tackles on the day.
The Hornets are open this Friday and will open district play next week at home against the Crosbyton Chieftains on Oct. 11th.
Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.