Ruston dismantles Ouachita

The score tells the story.

No. 4 Ruston (9-0, 4-0 district) dominated the Ouachita Lions (2-7, 1-3 district) in a 49-7 win Friday at Hoss Garrett Stadium, executing in all three phases to keep its undefeated record intact on an easy-going Senior Night.

The 49 points are a season-high for the Bearcats and it’s their third-straight game over 40 points.

And while the celebration was on for Ruston’s 21 seniors pregame, the inflated score came courtesy of the playmaking from a trio of juniors in the first half, with Jordan Hayes, Josh Brantley, and Zander Hayes highlighting the Bearcats to a 49-7 lead at the break.

“I thought our guys did a really good job of coming out and being ready to play,” Ruston head coach Jerrod Baug said. “Kind of an up and down week of practice but I told them if they come out mentally ready they’d be ready to go.”

Jordan Hayes ran wild for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half, including a 73-yard streaker with just over four minutes left in the second quarter. He’d finish with 11 carries for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns – his third-straight game over 110 yards.

“It was just a matter of time with him,” Baugh said. “Staying steady and not trying to get the home run all the time, just hit the hole where he needs to and he’s going to pop loose and he was able to do that tonight.”

Brantley did damage on the ground and in the air through two quarters, scoring on the first play from scrimmage on a designed, 65-yard rush that sent him flying down the sideline to get the game started with a bang. The junior quarterback added a 46-yard touchdown pass to Zhy Scott to give Ruston a 28-7 lead. Brantley finished his night 5-6 passing for 99 yards and a score, paired with 95 rushing yards and a score. Lander Smith added a 1-yard touchdown run as well, his second-straight game with a score.

On defense, Zander Hayes put the final nail in the coffin with a pick-six with 3:07 left in the first half, filling in for fellow junior linebacker Zheric Hill. Zander now has an interception in each game he’s started this season.

Ruston’s defense held Ouachita to four first downs and 84 total yards, including 6 yards passing.

“Anytime you lose your quarterback, it’s tough on you to try and get some things going and they’ve had to shuffle some guys around in there,” Baugh said. “Ouachita’s a good football team, make no mistake. We didn’t take them lightly. We thought we’d need to be ready to play and our kids did a wonderful job of preparing themselves mentally to come out and get it done.”

Semaj Jones joined Hayes in the interception club on the night, giving the senior his third of the year.

Geordan Guidry added a sack while Nate Johnson and Jadon Mayfield tallied 5 tackles each.

The Bearcats close the regular season on the road against rival West Monroe (7-1, 3-0 district) before ASH next Friday at 7 p.m.