FOOTBALL: Brownwood Downs GHS 35-0 in Opener

In a span of less than four minutes Friday night, the tone of Gatesville's season opener at Brownwood changed in a hurry. Trailing just 7-0 through the game's first 20 minutes, Gatesville surrendered three touchdowns in just over three minutes off the clock before halftime and the host-Lions used that momentum on their way to a 35-0 victory at Gordon Wood Stadium. "We did some good things," said Gatesville coach Kyle Cooper. "We moved the ball well most of the night. We have got to do a better job of putting our kids in better situations." The upstart Hornets, until that final four minutes of the opening half, had survived two turnovers and its defense had risen to the challenge on all but one series. However, Brownwood produced takeaways on the Hornets' next two offensive possessions and cashed in on both opportunities, scoring a touchdown with 3:40 left in the half and another teedee just over a minute later for a 21-0 lead. GHS, which moved the ball well most of the night, drove from its own 25 yard line to the Lions' 32 as time was expiring. Jeff Speer connected with Andraque Jones for 11 yards and hit Andrew Wallace for a 19-yard gain on a key 3rd-and-12 play during the march. But that drive stalled on downs and Brownwood would score again, this time with just 0:28 left before halftime to forge ahead 28-0. Gatesville started its motor again on the first series after intermission, driving from its own 13 to inside the BHS 30 yard line. Speer had a pair of key runs and hit Wallace on another third-down strike during the march, which ended on the Hornets' fourth turnover of the game. Brownwood tacked on its final score with 3:12 remaining in the game. Gatesville will make its home debut next week, as the Hornets host top-ranked Stephenville. Kickoff for Friday's game is 7:30 p.m. at McKamie Stadium.