Up next for the Purcell Dragons  is a trip across the Canadian River Bridge to square off with the rival Lexington Bulldogs.

Kickoff for the Battle for the Bridge is set for 7 p.m.

“We know we will get their best shot due to the rivalry,” Purcell Head Coach Aaron Dillard said. “They will operate out of the spread on offense and have an odd front on defense.

“We  just need to finish out our non-district games and then get ready for Plainview,” he said.

“We know they are going to throw the ball all over the place,” Dillard said. “We need to limit their big plays on defense and finish drives on offense by not shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Washington drew first blood last Friday night at Reed Field but the Dragons came right back to answer with a three-play scoring drive to tie the score at 7-7.

Cooper Selman, who finished the night with four carries for 71 yards, got loose on a 23-yard scoring scamper to knot the score.

A Warrior onslaught followed that ended with Washington pinning a 55-7 loss on the Dragons.

“We moved the ball a couple of times inside their 20-yard line,” Dillard said. “We got behind the eight-ball and had to be aggressive.

“We lost a fumble and had a couple of drives stalled by penalties,” Dillard continued. “We did rush for 177 yards on 40 carries and passed for another 50 yards completing three of seven passes.”

Dillard went on to say his club had some open shots down the field with guys open.

“We just didn’t protect well enough to get the ball off,” he confirmed. “They did a good job of limiting our explosive plays.”

Injuries continue to plague the Dragons with starting quarterback and linebacker Easton Resendiz sustaining a high ankle sprain.

He’s expected to miss at least two games.

The injury bug has bled over to the coach staff with assistant coach Cody Tutwiler sustaining a knee injury after getting rolled up on the sideline.

“We are incredibly banged up and knew it would be a tough task to play them,” Dillard said. “We ended up playing a ton of young guys. At one point we had a freshman at left tackle and a freshman at left guard. We played freshmen in the secondary, in the offensive line, defensive line and at linebacker.

“They are not a team you want to do that with. When we sent in a young guy, they find him immediately, which is what you’re supposed to do,” Dillard said.

Dillard noted the inspired play of several of his veterans.

The coach singled out the play of seniors Cooper Selman, Cash Cook and Halo DiRienzo and junior Cannan Haynes, who played offensive center and in the defensive line.

“Cash Cook didn’t have the production he had against Lindsay but that had to do with Washington. He played really hard on both offense and defense.

“Cannan Haynes was an absolute stud with a tough task. I’m really proud of him,” the coach said.

“Halo RiRienzo was in the same boat. He played in the line on both sides of the ball and was basically in on every single snap. They didn’t come off the field and they didn’t complain. They just did it,” Dillard said.

Dragon notes:

Head coach Aaron Dillard nominated Cooper Selman as the Offensive Player of the
Week. He had four carries for 71 yards and a touchdown against Washington.

Dillard had no other nominations.