The Red Raiders knocked off Hooks 38-6 at Hornet Stadium Sept. 18, improving to 4-0 in nondistrict play as they prepare to open the District 7-3A schedule.
Winnsboro’s offense is averaging 43 points per game, while the defense has held opponents to fewer than seven points per game.
Head coach and boys athletic director Josh Finney said he challenged his players to make plays and win one-on-one matchups as they prepare for district.
“Going into district next week with Commerce, I challenged them to make some plays, to win some one-on-one moments. It is nice to see some big-time plays being made from Ky (Caddell) to Kash (Noble). Brady Boles and Evan Hammond had some dominating blocks on the offensive line paving the way for the running backs,” Finney said.
Caddell connected with Noble on touchdown passes of 60 and 81 yards. Running back Catch Pope rushed for 97 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns. His first came on a 1-yard run in the first quarter, and he broke loose for a 60-yard score early in the third.
Caddell finished with 195 yards passing and added 54 yards rushing on nine carries.
An interception by defensive back Cy Erickson early in the second quarter set up Neree Castleberry’s 3-yard touchdown run, pushing Winnsboro’s lead to 21-0. Castleberry finished with 64 yards on 12 carries, while Trenten Hill added 62 yards on six carries.
Hooks scored on a 30-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter but failed on the extra-point attempt.
Rudy Calderon went 5-for-5 on extra points and added a 40-yard field goal to give Winnsboro a 24-6 halftime lead. Calderon, long snapper Braxton Gardenhire and holder Reed James have provided consistency in the kicking game.
District 7-3A play begins Sept. 25 with several teams entering the schedule with winning records. Malakoff finished nondistrict play 4-0. Commerce and Mount Vernon are both 3-1, with each team’s lone loss coming against Canton.
Eustace is also 3-1 after going 1-29 over the previous three seasons. Mineola enters district play at 2-2, while Rains is 1-3.
Commerce is first up for Winnsboro, with the Red Raiders traveling to Tiger Stadium Friday. The Tigers are coming off a district championship and handed Winnsboro a 51-13 loss last season.
“Commerce is one of the top teams in the state. They have a returning quarterback, and defensively they are very good. They whipped us pretty good last year, so we should have a bad taste in our mouth and be ready to go,” Finney said.
Commerce returns a senior-heavy offensive line and dual-threat quarterback Aidan Brown, along with several experienced receivers and running backs.
Other Tigers to watch include running back Ky’mani Graham, wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Anderson, wide receiver Donovan Maria, linebackers James Brockway and Chance Cranford, and defensive lineman Kentrell Greer.