(Courtesy Photo) Panthers assistant coach, Shane Nobles brings over the defense during a timeout against Rusk on Friday night. The Panthers lost the homecoming game, 56-7, and look to get back in the win column against Center this Friday night. BULLARD – First it was Mother Nature raining on our parade earlier in the week.

Then on Friday night the Rusk Eagles put a quick damper on the Homecoming festivities, scoring almost at will to beat Bullard with a 21-7, win over the Panthers.

The Eagles (3-2), got on the board for the first time as Marcell Johnson hauled in a 45-yard scoring toss from Trey Thrash. Waylon Germany banged home the first of three first half PAT kicks for a 7-0, Eagle lead after one period.

The Panthers fumbled on the first play of the second quarter and Eagle linebacker, Ricky Rojo scooped up the ball from the 27 and ran in untouched.

Rusk upped the lead to 21-0 at the half as running back, Teral Carter blasted off left tackle from 21-yards, and the 21-0 Rush halftime cushion. Rusk held a 240-98 advantage in yards at the break.

The second half was more of the same before it got any better for the Panthers.

Rusk’s, Kalen Skinner intercepted a pass from backup quarterback Koby Greene and returned it 244-yards for another Eagle score two plays into the second half, and a 28-0 Eagles lead.

Bullard finally answered back as senior running back, Daniel Howard blasted up the middle for a 70-yard touchdown. Santiago Escobar tacked on the PAT kick for a brief Panther reprieve.

The Eagles however scored on a 13-yard run by Johnson and Rojo returned the second Panther fumble of the night for an 8-yard score, and a 42-7 contest.

Add on another Johnson 82-yard sprint for points and it was a 49-7 affair after three periods.

The final Rusk points came after a sustained drive Johnson finished the game with 234 yards on 15 carries, and scoring runs of 13, and 82 to go with his 45-yard TD pass reception. Running mate. Teral Carter totaled out with 119 yards on 18 carries and scores from 21-yards twice.

The Eagles defense flourished with three fumble recoveries, two for scores, and two interceptions of Franklin.

Howard was the lone spark for Bullard with 83-yards on seven carries and the lone score.

Franklin made only 10-yards in 17 tries, fumbling twice. Panthers wide receiver, Brandon Beavers made five catches for 69 yards in the game. R.J. Horton made a 56-yard snag, and Greene caught the other pass for 13- yards.

Defensively for Bullard Colton Faulk and David Diduch mad 12 tackles apiece to lead the team. Koby Greene added nine stops, and Hunter Skleton added in eight tackles of his own.

Bullard (1-3), will take to the road next week as they play at Center.

The Roughriders are 3-1 on the year and second in their district behind second-ranked Carthage. Center started with a win as they beat Gladewater 7-0. Next they lost at Nacogdoches, before beating district rivals, Chapel Hill, 36-7, and Spring Hill, 45-6.

Non-District Football at Panther Stadium

Rusk 56, Bullard 7
Score by Quarters
Rusk 7 14 28 14- 56
Bullard 0 0 7 0- 7

Scoring Summary

First Quarter- R: Marcell Johnson 45 pass from Trey Thrash, (Waylon Germany kick good), 7:41 Second Quarter- R: Ricky Rojo 27 fumble recovery, (Germany kick), 11:47. R: Teral Carter 21 run, (Germany kick), 6:58. Third Quarter- R: Kalen Skinner 24 interception return,(Germany kick), 11:05 B: Daniel Howard 70 run, (Santiago Escobar PAT kick good), 10:35 R: Johnson 13 run, (Gerany kick), 7:26 R: Ricky Rojo 8 fumble recovery, (Germany kick), 5:46 R: Johnson 82 run, (Germany kick), 2:12. Fourth Quarter- R: Carter 21 run, (Germany kick), 3:01.