Matt Vines

OAK GROVE – One of Red River’s keys to competing against Oak Grove was to force turnovers.
The Bulldogs did part partially check that box Friday, forcing two turnovers as Red River has forced multiple turnovers in all three games this season.

But that’s about the only box that got checked as Oak Grove ran away with a 55-8 victory.
The defending Division IV Non-Select champions scored 27 points in the first quarter and led 41-0 at halftime.

Red River (1-2) fumbled the opening kickoff, and Oak Grove (2-1) cashed in with a Brodie Stuart screen pass from quarterback Jackson Bradley to start the scoring.

The Bulldogs were able to limit Oak Grove’s passing ability with Bradley completing just 2-of-7 passes for 70 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Warren Bowman intercepted a third-quarter pass and returned it 41 yards to set the Bulldogs up in Oak Grove territory. Red River’s other turnover came when Cameron Jones forced a fumble that a teammate recovered.

But Oak Grove’s defense suffocated Red River’s offense all night.

Red River totaled 70 yards on the night with 38 yards coming on a fourth-quarter Nate Burton touchdown run as the lone Bulldogs score.

Montreveun Smith rushed for 32 yards on 11 carries and caught both of Red River’s completions totaling eight yards.

Oak Grove did most of its damage on the ground by tallying 301 rushing yards on just 20 carries (15 yards per attempt).

Jay Freeman gained 154 yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts.

The Oak Grove trip was the start of a four-game road swing and a stretch of five road games in the first six to start the season.

Red River heads to White Castle, Pineville and Mansfield in the next three weeks.