BULLARD -- Rusk used big plays on both sides of the ball to soar past Pittsburg, 48-7 on Friday night in a Class 4A Division II bi-district playoff.

The tandem of Rusk quarterback Darrian McDuff and running back Sam Thomas combined for 172 yards on the ground and 417 of the Eagles' 455 total yards of offense in the win.

Rusk (9-2) moves on to the area round of the playoffs to face Melissa at a time and site to be determined. Pittsburg ended its season at 6-5.

Thomas' 54-yard touchdown capped an early 91-yard drive by Rusk, which was set up by the first of two interceptions by Joseph Francis.

Francis' second interception went for a touchdown on the next drive to give Rusk a 12-0 lead with 2:15 left in the first quarter.

 

Anthony Hunter caught a touchdown pass from McDuff and also intercepted a pass in Rusk's win.

McDuff's 7-yard touchdown run gave Rusk a 28-0 lead at halftime.

Rusk's lead grew to as much as 40 points after McDuff's 16-yard touchdown run and Adrian Morris went 84 yards for a score before Pittsburg finally got on the board.

Jaylon Jimmerson hit Brett McGee for a 7-yard touchdown for Pittsburg's only touchdown of the game.

McDuff hit Thomas for a 55-yard touchdown for Rusk's final score.

Thomas finished the game with 97 yards on six carries and had 71 yards through the air. McDuff rushed for 75 yards on five carries and completed 8 of 10 passes for 174 yards and a score.

 

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