By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON — A 34-point first half performance by the Ruston Bearcats (7-1, 3-0 District 2-5A) proved insurmountable as Jerrod Baugh’s club took its seventh straight win with a 48-7 victory over the West Ouachita Chiefs.
Ruston saw five different offensive players score a first half touchdown; three through the air, and two on the ground.
“This was a lot like last week where I challenged our guys to get out here and get after it and get better as a football team,” Baugh said. “I think they did that tonight. The next groups that came in the second half like last week were challenged to get out there and take advantage of the opportunity to get some really good work in. I’m very pleased all the way around.”
Senior Jaden Osborne connected with senior defensive lineman Christian Davis for a four-yard score on fourth and goal. Davis lined up at tight end and caught a perfect strike in the flat with 5:30 to go in the first quarter.
Senior tight end Zhy Scott would be the ensuing touchdown target from Osborne; this time a 16-yard pass into the back corner of the end zone with 2:23 on the clock in the first. Ruston led 14-0 after one.
Sophomore Jordan Hayes scored the first rushing touchdown of the night with an 88-yard run for a score up the near sideline nearly midway through the second quarter. After breaking multiple tackles around the line of scrimmage, Hayes added an impressive boost of speed for the last 40 yards of his run. The extra point was missed on the right upright, and Ruston led 20-0.
Senior Aaron Jackson then caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Osborne to give the Bearcats a 27-0 lead with 4:29 to go before halftime.
Ruston was able to utilize the two-minute offense for its last touchdown of the first half by driving down 52 yards on eight plays. Senior running back Lajaveon Ellis punched in the one-yard score to give Ruston the 34-0 halftime lead.
Hayes took the opening play of the second half 68 yards for a touchdown to extend the Ruston lead to 41-0. Sophomore quarterback Josh Brantley scored with 1:40 left in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown rush to give Ruston its final points. West Ouachita scored a one-yard touchdown with 4:52 left to play in the ball game.
Hayes finished the night with 170 yards rushing and two touchdowns while averaging 21.2 yards per carry. Osborne threw 11-of-13 for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson finished with four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Bearcat senior defensive back Ray Owens intercepted a ball late in the first half, while both junior Jadon Mayfield and senior Parker Perez were credited with fumble recoveries.
The Bearcats will return to the road Friday, October 28, at 7 p.m. to take on the Ouachita Lions in Monroe. The game can be heard on Z107.5 FM and streamed on BearcatNationNetwork.com.
