Purcell closes out the 2025 gridiron campaign on the road at Pauls Valley Friday night.

Kick off for the Dragon-Panther contest is set for 7 p.m.

Pauls Valley and Purcell both come into the contest with identical 2-7 records. The Panthers are a quarterback run squad on offense and run a different type of defense.

“Their quarterback is a big kid and probably their best athlete,” Purcell Head Coach Aaron Dillard reports on the Panthers.

Tugh Faught is 6’2” and 215 pounds and is a load to bring down.

“They changed quarterbacks a few weeks ago and get him involved in every play,” the coach said.

“They will run quarterback counter and quarterback power,” Dillard said. “They are big up front on both sides of the ball and their kids play hard. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for sure.

“Pauls Valley has gotten better all year long and have pretty good, big and strong athletes up front.”

When the Panthers are on defense their players don’t get in stances in the line. The defenders all stand up and at the snap of the ball all blitz in different lanes.

Dillard said Frederick used that defensive scheme against the Dragons three years ago and this season Mangum also runs that defense.

Dillard said he has heard this type of defense called a Unidentified Flying Object (UFO), the ameba and the prowl.

No matter what you call it, it’ll be something new for the Dragons offensive forward wall.

The Dragons will have to limit their mistakes and take care of the ball.

Heritage Hall

In last week’s 48-13 loss at the hands of Heritage Hall, Purcell dug themselves in a deep hole in the first half.

On the Chargers’ first possession, Purcell had the visitors in a fourth and 20 situation and gave up a touchdown pass.

“You can’t let that happen,” Dillard said. “Then they have a punt return for a touchdown when we weren’t in the right positions.”

Big plays were a kicker during the game.

The Chargers led 41-0 at the half.

In the second half, Cash Cook scored on a 55-yard run and Cooper Selman scooted in from 54 yards out. Freshman Cru Venegas booted the extra point in place of the injured Paul Glorius.

“I thought our offensive line had a good night,” Dillard said. “Dylan Smith played fantastic. He played really, really well.”

Dillard praised the play of center Kaden Pliler and left guard Halo DiRienzo.

“Heritage Hall was playing an odd front so we had to go take care of the nose guard and then  get to the linebacker,” the coach said.

The blocking up front paved the way for Cash Cook to roam Conger Field for 136 yards on eight carries than included a touchdown.

Cooper Selman gained 79 yards on five totes that also included a touchdown run.

Dillard said several Dragon defenders had good outings including Brody Walkup who had eight tackles and a sack from his defensive end position. Ethan Colburn and Kaden Pliler had six tackles each.

“Dylan Smith affected the game with his strong leverage up front,” the coach said. “He played very, very well and Liam Cummings had five tackles. We had JJ Hitchcock get thrown into the game at linebacker. He played well for a young guy.”

Selman and Oscar Wren both picked off errant Charger passes.

Dragon notes:

Head coach Aaron Dillard nominated Dylan Smith as the Offensive Lineman of the Week. He graded out at 90 percent last Friday night.

Cash Cook got the nod as the Offensive Player of the Week for his 136 yards rushing that included a touchdown.

Dillard nominated Kaden Pliler as the Defensive Lineman of the Week for his six tackle performance.

Brody Walkup was the nominee as the Defensive Player of the Week.  He had eight tackles and sacked the quarterback once.