Purcell only ran 31 offensive plays last Friday night against Lexington but almost a third of them resulted in touchdowns.

Seven different players danced in the end zone including Cash Cook, Liam Cummings, Ty Nichols, Taizen Hernandez, Ethan Colburn, Matthew Hall and Chance Midkiff.

Cook scored twice on runs, one of 19 yards to open the scoring and 38 yards on the other one in the second quarter (his only two carries of the game).

Cummings legged the rock in from 24 yards out and Hernandez hauled in a 55-yard touchdown pass off the arm of sophomore quarterback JJ Hitchcock.

Colburn’s stroll to the end zone was a 16-yard scamper while Matthew Hall cashed in from 24 yards out. Nichols raced to the end zone from the 34 yard line while Midkiff circled right end for a 26 yarder to close out the scoring in the fourth period.

“We had a good offensive night with a lot of guys touching the ball,” head coach Aaron Dillard said.

The Dragons rushed for 316 yards and added another 85 yards off the arms of Hitchcock and freshman Jack Montgomery.

“We were efficient and explosive,” Dillard continued. “Running the clock in the second half shortened the game. We started two freshmen in the offensive line and played a bunch of them throughout the game.

“Matt Hall had a good night running. Cash had a night as did Ty Nichols and Liam,” Dillard continued. “Both quarterbacks, JJ Hitchcock and Jack Montgomery had good games as did Tiazen Hernandez at receiver.”

Dillard said his defenders played well, “but not great.”

“We gave up 14 points and give credit to them,” the coach said. “Their quarterback (Sawyer Beers) made some good throws and their receivers (Cash Dierking and Jaxon Torres) caught the ball.”

Dillard said the defensive backfield was played “by committee”.

“We played a lot of guys back there. Axel Shobert had an interception and Layton Percey stripped a ball that we recovered,” Dillard said. “We had quite a few quarterback hurries, too.”

Up next for the 2-1 Dragons will be a road trip to Ardmore to square off with the Plainview Indians, who are also 2-1 on the season to open 3A-1 District portion of the 2026 schedule.

“They are way good as per usual,” Dillard reports. “They’ve got three or four really good players.
They’ve got a D1 receiver that has offers from multiple schools.

“He’s a match up nightmare,” Dillard said of the 6’3” 225 pound specimen. “They are super athletic just like you expect from Plainview athletes. Their quarterback is a freshman. He manages the game and doesn’t try to be ‘the’ guy.”

The Indians will attack out of a pro-style offense that will try to run right down your throat.

“It’s very unique with a lot of tight ends and H backs. They have a really good running back that really makes their offense go. And if you stack the box to stop him they’ll take some shots,” the coach said.

“Their defense is an odd front,” Dillard says of the Indian scouting report. “They had to replace  quite a few starters so they are inexperienced in some spots but still very capable.

“It’ll be a good test. Last year we didn’t cash in in the first half. We’ve got to finish drives and score points. We have to take care of the ball and execute on defense.

“We’ve got to win first down,” Dillard explained. “If we can keep them in second and long it’ll be a good thing. If they get to second and short or medium it’s not where we want to be.”

Dragon notes:

Purcell Head Coach Aaron Dillard nominated senior Cash Cook as the Offensive Player of the Week. Cook scored touchdowns on both of his offensive carries gaining 57 total yards.

Getting the nod as the Offensive Lineman of the Week was junior Cannan Haynes, who graded out at 90 percent against Lexington.

The nominee for Defensive Lineman of the Week went to freshman Matt Brown, who had two tackles including one for a loss against Lexington.

The Defensive Lineman of the Week nominee was sophomore Layton Percey who finished with four tackles, forced a fumble that Purcell recovered and recovered a fumble. He had an interception that was negated by a defensive penalty away from the ball.