KILGORE — After a heartbreaking loss last week, the Kilgore Bulldogs were able to put it in the rearview mirror, rolling to a 31-21 triumph over the Hallsville Bobcats here Friday night at R.E. St. John Stadium.

The Bulldogs were able to capitalize early on a couple of Bobcat errors to win for the fifth straight year in the series. AJ Davis gobbled up a Thaddeus Fagan fumble that set the stage for an eventual 28-yard Hugo Orta field goal at 2:12 of the first quarter.

Hallsville took the ensuing kickoff after the Orta kick and moved methodically down the field behind the passing of Josh Warbington, who finished the night 17 of 30 for 170 yards and a score. Things took a turn for the worse when Warbington was picked on a second down pass by Kilgore’s Hector Peralez, who scooted 58 yards with the theft to the end zone. 

Orta’s point after made it 10-0 Bulldogs with 8:22 left in the first half.

It was a quick strike score as Kilgore built a 17-0 lead midway of the first half when Riley Toler lofted a beautiful rainbow lob down the sideline to the waiting hands of JD Jones. From there, Jones sprinted 63 yards untouched to paydirt.

The Bobcats eased back into the contest by taking full advantage of a Bulldog mistake. Toler was picked by BJ Wilder and the end result was a pick six as Wilder sped 30 yards for the score at 2:37 of the second period. Austin Lightle knocked home the point after to make it 17-7.

Kilgore would answer again before intermission as LD Anthony ripped off a 24-yard run and Toler polished things off with his second touchdown. Toler, who hit on just 5 of 11 passes for 119 yards, found Rashaad Edwards on a perfect slant route from 12 yards.