Matt Vines

MANSFIELD – Red River couldn’t solve Mansfield’s rushing attack or the Wolverine defense Friday in a 48-12 loss on the road.

Mansfield (7-1, 2-0 District 4-2A) created running lanes to the tune of 523 rushing yards and six touchdowns as the Wolverines controlled the game from the ground.

The Wolverines scored the game’s first 20 points before Red River (1-7, 0-3) found the end zone in the second quarter to slice the lead to 20-6.

But Mansfield added two more touchdowns to build a 35-6 halftime lead and scored 28 straight points to make sure the Bulldogs didn’t have thoughts of a comeback.

Mansfield produced two 100-yard rushers in Jaydan Hamilton (9-164, 2 TDs) and Zayvon Sanders (14-170, 2 TDs) with quarterback J.J. Howard approaching the century mark with 89 yards and a score.

The Wolverines averaged nearly 14 yards per carry as generated explosive plays in the run game.

Red River’s offensive performance was marred by turnovers, which included at least two interceptions and a lost fumble coupled with an onside kick recovered by Mansfield.

District opponents in particular have found room to run against Red River after Winnfield and Many had success on the ground.

The Bulldogs have allowed at least 40 points in all three of their district losses and will try to correct course in the district finale at Lakeside (5-3, 1-1).

The loss knocked Red River out of the playoff picture for now as the Bulldogs slid to No. 30 in a scramble for 28 spots in the Division III Non-Select power rankings.

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