Cason Tidwell (left) and Eliseo Rivas both scored two touchdowns Friday night for Bangs (0-2), which plays its first home game next week against Grape Creek (1-1)

MERKEL – Momentum shifts were the theme of the night, but when Friday concluded the Bangs Dragons had one too few in their favor as they suffered a 29-26 road loss to the Merkel Badgers.

Down 7-6 after one quarter, Bangs (0-2) grabbed a 20-13 halftime advantage, only for Merkel (2-0) to surge back in front, 21-20, heading to the fourth period.

The Dragons, who were looking to rebound from last week’s 35-18 opening loss to rival Early, produced 427 yards of total offense – 285 rushing and 142 passing.

Cason Tidwell led the ground game with 183 yards and two touchdowns for Bangs, while Jackson Edmisten chipped in 50 yards rushi

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