Ground Game Fuels Hughes Springs in 46-20 Bi-District Victory Over Frankston
LONGVIEW -- Hughes Springs eclipsed the 500-yard mark on the ground en route to a 46-20 Class 2A Division II Region II bi-district win over Frankston on Friday at Pine Tree's Pirate Stadium.
Three Mustangs ran for triple digits. Fredrick Hopkins ran 17 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while Michael Martinez had 16 rushes for 160 yards and two scores. Kane Sampson gained 106 and scored once on only five carries as Hughes Springs (10-1) ran 51 times for 504 yards and five touchdowns.
Chris Royal added 78 yards on 11 carries for the Mustangs, who play Corrigan-Camden (11-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Carthage's Bulldog Stadium in a 2A D-II Region III area playoff.
Martinez, who added five two-point conversions, completed 4 of 13 passes for 46 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Martinez has moved to quarterback after the Mustangs lost Chad McKinney late in the regular season to an injury. Martinez' touchdown strike covered 32 yards to Austin Calcote.
Frankston quarterback Ozzie Buckner had a big game in the loss. He completed 17 of 31 passes for 317 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Buckner finished his junior season with 2,207 passing yards and 23 total touchdowns. He also rushed for almost 400 yards. The Indians will also welcome back leading receiver Kendrick Rogers next season. As a sophomore, Rogers caught 47 passes for 727 yards and five scores.