Nacogdoches Outlasts Lindale, 24-10

LINDALE -- It took Nacogdoches more than a quarter to pick up a first down, and the Dragons didn't score their first points until midway through the third quarter.

But a strong sprint to the finish earned Nacogdoches a 24-10 win over Lindale on Friday night at Eagle Stadium in the District 17-5A opener for both teams.

The Dragons (4-2, 1-0) scored 17 fourth-quarter points to begin district play in the winner's circle. This came after Nacogdoches was blanked in the first half by Lindale (1-5, 0-1), which dropped its fifth-straight game.

Nacogdoches senior running back Phillip Jones recorded his sixth 100-yard rushing game in as many tries with 131 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.

Dragons quarterback Noah Hildebrand passed for 160 yards and a touchdown, and added 40 yards on the ground, while Kris Wade returned an interception for a touchdown to seal the win.

Jed Morgan and Kobe Poole each pulled down six catches for 68 and 66 yards, respectively.

Lindale, which took a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter, was led offensively by senior quarterback Montana Meador, who ran for 113 yards on 20 carries. He also connected with Cameron Sir Louis for a 61-yard touchdown pass.

The going was rough offensively for both teams in the opening half, as Nacogdoches and Lindale managed just five first downs apiece before halftime. David Franke's 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave Lindale a 3-0 lead it carried into intermission.

Poole returned the second-half kickoff 14 yards to set Nacogdoches up at its own 44. The Dragons proceeded to drive 56 yards in 11 plays, scoring on Jones' 1-yard plunge that gave Nacogdoches its first lead -- 7-3 with 7:25 to play in the third quarter.

Each team traded three-and-outs on the ensuing possessions, but Lindale found the end zone for the first time, and re-took the lead, 10-7, on Meador's strike to Sir Louis with 3:12 to play in the period.

Nacogdoches answered right back, moving 70 yards in eight plays. Hildebrand's 32-yard touchdown pass to Morgan on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the Dragons a 14-10 advantage.

Lindale managed only two first downs the rest of the way, while Nacogdoches extended its lead on Chris Campos-Gonzalez' 39-yard field goal and Wade's 38-yard pick-six with 1:56 remaining.

Both teams return to action next Friday night. Nacogdoches travels to Corsicana, while Lindale plays at Ennis.

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Nacogdoches 24, Lindale 10

At Eagle Stadium, Lindale

Nacogdoches 0 0 7 17 -- 24
Lindale 0 3 7 0 -- 10

Second Quarter
LIN--FG David Franke 26, 11:12.
Third Quarter
NAC--Phillip Jones 1 run (Oscar Alfaro kick), 7:25.
LIN--Cameron Sir Louis 61 pass from Montana Meador (Franke kick), 3:12.
Fourth Quarter
NAC--Jed Morgan 32 pass from Noah Hildebrand (Chris Campos-Gonzalez kick), 11:54.
NAC--FG Campos-Gonzalez 39, 3:05.
NAC--Kris Wade 38 interception return (Alfaro kick), 1:56.

NAC LIN
First Downs 18 9
Total Yards 330 272
Rushes-Yards 34-170 33-140
Passing Yards 160 132
Comp.-Att.-Int. 15-26-1 6-17-1
Punts-Avg. 4-30.5 4-38.0
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 13-83 9-80

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Nacogdoches, Phillip Jones 29-131, Noah Hildebrand 3-40, Kobe Poole 1-(-1). Lindale, Montana Meador 20-113, Jordan Robinson 8-31, Joe Noble 1-3, Cameron Jenkins 4-(-7).
PASSING--Nacogdoches, Hildebrandt 15-26-1--160. Lindale, Meador 6-17-1--132.
RECEIVING--Nacogdoches, Jed Morgan 6-68, Poole 6-66, Jaylon Douglas 2-23, Josh Thompson 1-3. Lindale, Cameron Sir Louis 3-74, Noble 2-47, Cooper Azbell 1-11.