It can be hard to translate regular season success to the playoffs, but Saginaw had no problem doing just that on Friday. They skirted past the Azle Hornets 41-39. The win was just business as usual for the Rough Riders, who after 11 games remain undefeated this season.
It was another big night for Roman Morales, who threw for 478 yards and five touchdowns while picking up 12.6 yards per attempt, and also rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown. Those 150 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Aidan Collier was Morales' top target, picking up 169 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Saginaw wouldn't let Azle keep a hold of the ball as they managed to force two fumbles. Saginaw can thank Collier and Jahirim Skinner for forcing both of them. Collier is on a roll when it comes to receiving touchdowns, as he's now hauled in two or more in the last three games he's played.
When it comes to explaining why Azle lost, don't look at Hagen Hughes. Despite the final result, he rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 7.5 yards per carry.
Saginaw pushed their record up to 11-0 with the victory, which was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories were due in large part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 36.6 points per game. As for Azle, they have traveled a rocky road recently having lost four of their last five contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-4 record this season.
Saginaw will challenge Tascosa at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Both might be coming in a bit winded given these two teams combined for 1,075 yards in their previous games. Azle does not have any more games scheduled as of now.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
