Rabbits race past Gladewater to keep playoff hopes alive

ATLANTA, Texas—Led by junior running back Jawan King, Atlanta raced to a 21-3 halftime lead, and went on to a 34-16 victory over Gladewater in a District 7-4A game Friday evening at Rabbit Stadium.

King ran for 163 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns.

It was a big win for Atlanta (4-4, 1-2) to keep its playoff hopes alive. Gladewater falls to 2-7 and 1-2 in district play.

Atlanta had 178 yards rushing in the first half with King leading the way with 91 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rabbits scored on their first possession, going 48 yards in six plays, highlighted by a 35-yard run by King. Quarterback Andrew Samples scored on a 1-yard run.

After the kickoff, Gladewater fumbled on its first play, and Atlanta recovered at the Bears' 32-yard line.

On its fourth play, Atlanta scored on a 21-yard run by King for a 14-0 advantage.

Gladewater's lone score in the first half came on a 41-yard field goal by Fernando Serrano with 2:47 left in the first quarter.

Atlanta increased its lead to 21-3 on a King 4-yard run with 2:55 left until halftime.

Gladewater pulled to within 21-10 on a 41-yard pass from Daniel Badger to T.C. Minter. Minter had seven receptions for 122 yards in the contest.

Atlanta quickly retaliated with a 58-yarder by King, 19 seconds later to lead, 27-10.

Gladewater missed a big opportunity early in the fourth quarter, driving to the 3-yard line. But two motion penalties pushed them back and the drive ended at the six.

The Bears pulled within, 27-16, a few minutes later on a 15-yard run by Isaiah Davis, who rushed

for 132 yards on 22 carries in the game.

Atlanta dashed any comeback hopes from Gladewater when Samples scampered 18 yards for a touchdown and a 34-16 lead with just 2:21 left in the contest.