The Olton Mustangs’ varsity football team used a big third quarter to pull away from the Sudan Hornets in their season-opener on the road on Friday night, taking the victory, 35-20.
With the win, the Mustangs improved to 1-0 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 0-1 to begin the season.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter, but in the second frame, Olton got the scoring going with a four yard-rushing touchdown, followed by the PAT to put them in front, 7-0. Sudan, though, would answer, as Trent Wilson connected with Caleb Groetken for an 18-yard passing touchdown. Groetken followed it up with the PAT to tie the game, 77, going into the locker room at halftime.
Olton got their offense going in the third quarter, as they opened the second half with another fouryard rushing touchdown followed by the two-point conversion to make the score, 15-7. Baldo Garcia would punch in a 10-yard score for the Mustangs followed by the PAT to make the score, 22-7, in favor of the Mustangs.
Later in the third quarter, Christian Chancy broke loose for a 71yard touchdown run to make the score, 28-7, after the failed PAT. Sudan would close out the third quarter with a score, as Wilson hit Alan Flores for a 64-yard passing touchdown, followed by Groetken’s PAT to trim the lead to, 28-14, heading into the final quarter of play.
But, in the fourth quarter, Olton quarterback, Raymond Ramirez, would keep it himself on a 33-yard touchdown run, that was followed with the PAT to push their lead back out to, 35-14. Later in the fourth, Groetken would connect with Jaibryn Ornelas for a 10-yard score, but they missed on the twopoint conversion, as Olton took the contest, 35-20.
The Mustangs totaled 471 yards of offense, including 346 rushing yards and 125 passing yards, while the Hornets totaled 228 yards of offense; 126 passing yards and 102 rushing yards.
Ramirez led the passing attack for Olton finishing the game seven-of-13 for 125 yards and one interception. He also added 10 carries for 121 yards and one touchdown.
The Olton rushing attack was led by Chancy, who finished the game with six carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Garcia added 14 carries for 79 yards and a score and Fabian Gutierrez added six carries for 21 yards and one touchdown.
In the receiving game, Nate Urbina finished with four catches for 65 yards, while Jimmy Munoz chipped in two catches for 45 yards and Jacob Escobar finished with one catch for 15 yards.
For Sudan, they were led in the passing game by Wilson, who finished the game 14-30 passing for 168 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Groetken was one-of-three for 10 yards and a score.
Wilson also led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 70 yards, while Marcello King chipped in 13 carries for 28 yards and Groetken added one carry for 15 yards.
Flores led the receiving game for the Hornets with four catches for 70 yards and one touchdown, while Ornelas tallied three catches for 36 yards and a score and Groetken added two catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. Braxtyn Harrell also had two catches for 24 yards and Sal Juarez tallied three catches for 21 yards. Defensively, The Hornets totaled six tackles for loss and one sack. They also had an interception and a fumble recovery. Jaden Conley led the Hornets in total tackles with 13, including one for loss and Matthew Lopez tallied 12 total tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Flores chipped in 11 tackles and Juarez added seven total tackles.
The Mustangs will be at home on Friday to take on the Dimmitt Bobcats, while the Hornets will be at home to take on Tahoka.
Both contests are slated to begin at 7 p.m.