The Midland Legacy Rebels faced a tough challenge on Saturday as they took on the top-ranked Ruston Bearcats, suffering a 38-6 defeat at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. Coming off a high from their previous victory against Abilene, the Rebels struggled to keep up with Ruston’s aggressive play, particularly in the first half, where they found themselves trailing 24-0.
Early Turnovers Prove Costly
Midland Legacy’s troubles began early, as they turned the ball over on their first three possessions, allowing Ruston to capitalize on each mistake. The Bearcats, who are Louisiana’s defending state champions and extended their winning streak to 18 games with this victory, took a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to two interceptions by Louisiana Tech commit Zheric Hill, including a 31-yard pick-six. Safety Jayden Anding added another interception for Ruston, which bounced off the hands of a Legacy receiver.
Ruston’s Offensive Dominance
Ruston’s offense was led by quarterback Josh Brantley, who accounted for three touchdowns. He ran nine times for 59 yards and two scores, while also completing 9 of 12 passes for 134 yards, including a crucial 43-yard touchdown pass to Joran Parker in the third quarter. The Bearcats’ ground game was further bolstered by Dylone Brooks, who sealed the game with a 64-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, finishing with 94 yards on seven carries.
Standout Performances from Midland Legacy
Despite the loss, there were notable performances from the Rebels. Aiden Serrano stood out, gaining 99 total yards and scoring the team’s only touchdown, a 5-yard run out of the Wildcat formation in the third quarter. Serrano rushed six times for 40 yards and caught four passes for 58 yards, marking a career-high in rushing yards. Quarterback JP Reyes showed improvement in the second half, completing 8 of 12 passes, while McKenzie Rogers led the team with 58 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Defensive Efforts and Adjustments
Defensively, the Rebels showed some resilience with a few key stops, including a third-down sack by Cole Neatherlin and Drew Nisius that halted Ruston’s drive in the second quarter. Head coach Clint Hartman praised the effort of his players, particularly junior Nic Moore, who transitioned from receiver to cornerback three weeks ago and has been performing well. The Rebels recently switched from a four-man to a three-man front, and despite giving up some big plays, Hartman believes the defense is adjusting to their assignments.
