ROYSE CITY – Top-ranked Gunter fit the bill in the second half after getting out of its own way in a tight first half against Daingerfield.

No. 1 Gunter scored 30 second-half points to take a 38-3 win over Daingerfield in a Class 3A Division II Region II area around playoff contest at Royse City.

It was the 28th consecutive win for the defending state champion. Daingerfield’s season comes to an end at 7-5.

Braiden Clopton finished with a team-high 106 rushing yards with a scoring jaunt for Gunter, who did not attempt a pass in the win. Dylan Jantz and Peyton Lowe each had two rushing scored twice, totaling 135 yards combined.

Gunter, who tallied 365 rushing yards, fumbled its first two possessions but a miscue from the Daingerfield offense thwarted a go-ahead attempt and the second loose ball resulted in a field goal from Jose Bello to put Daingerfield ahead, 3-0, midway through the second quarter.

Clopton’s touchdown scamper capped a long scoring drive just before halftime to send Gunter into the break ahead, 8-3.

Gunter scored on its first two possessions of the second half and the defense held Daingerfield’s offense in check en route to 38 unanswered points.

Jakauri Woods had 59 rushing yards and passed for 49 yards in the loss for Daingerfield. Chris Castleberry had 48 rushing yards and Reggie Jeter finished with 55 all-purpose yards.

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