By Kyle Roberts

Despite multiple starters out on both sides of the football due to illness, injury, and internal discipline, the Ruston High School Bearcats (7-0, 2-0 District 2-5A) cruised to a 48-6 win over the Pineville Rebels (2-5, 0-2 District 2-5A), keeping the undefeated season alive.

And while it may not have looked pretty at times, a win is always still a win, as many Bearcats were able to get some varsity snaps that may not normally get the chance to play on a weekly basis.

“I didn’t think we had a lot of energy at first, but we made some plays on several different things,” Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “We just didn’t have the continuity that we needed (with multiple starters sitting). But we’re really pleased; I talked to the kids at halftime about coming back out and whoever got called on to come out and do what they needed to get done and take it as an opportunity to get better. I thought all the guys that we rolled in there on offense and defense did a really good job.”

The Bearcats were without both star linebacker senior Jaden Mayfield and junior running back Dylone Brooks for the night, while junior quarterback Josh Brantley sat in the first half, giving freshman Sam Hartwell his first varsity start under center.

“(Sam) is a student of the game,” Baugh said. “He’s done a really good job paying attention to what’s going on. The offensive staff has done a good job of bringing him along. Sometimes, you take for grand what you’re asking a young kid to do, and I thought he handled it extremely well. Building off of that; it’s something that we can feel comfortable with in the future.”

Following a lost fumble on an attempted pass early in the first quarter, Hartwell threw for two touchdowns in the first half, including a one-handed haul-in by fellow freshman Ahmad Hudson from seven yards out at the beginning of the second quarter.

Pineville started the game going immediately to a pressure point in Ruston’s special teams: the onside kick, which the Rebels recovered. The Bearcat defense, however, proved to be incredibly stingy all night long, holding Pineville to a combined 51 yards of total offense on the night.

Starting at linebacker in place of Mayfield was Zander Hayes, who had an interception with 6:02 to go in the first quarter as the Rebels appeared to be making their way down the field.

And special teams added a touchdown with junior cornerback Aidan Anding returning a punt for 49 yards into the end zone with 3:13 left to play in the first half to give Ruston a 21-0 lead.

Hartwell would connect with senior wide receiver Logan Malone just before halftime to extend the lead to 28-0.

Brantley came in for one snap on the night and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Joran Parker at the start of the third quarter.

“I wanted to get Josh in, maybe before the end of the first half, but we didn’t get the opportunity,” Baugh said. “I wanted him to go through the process at halftime to get your mind together and get out there and do some things. It was short-lived; a one-play deal. But it was good to see him out there and be able to handle the situation.”

Junior running back Jordan Hayes scored the first touchdown of the night from 21 yards out with 8:33 to go in the first quarter, rushing for a total of 114 yards on 17 carries in the first half alone. 

Sophomore Nolan Parnell would take over the running back position in the second half, rushing for 48 total yards an a touchdown, while sophomore Hudson Wood got some time at quarterback and scored a touchdown as well; the final of the night for the Bearcats from 15 yards out on an option keeper off the right side.

Ruston’s lone blemish of the night scoreboard-wise was a 75-yard kickoff return by the Rebels with time expiring in the ballgame.

The Bearcats will return to action Friday, Oct. 20, on the road at West Ouachita. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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