HAPPY – After a difficult start to the season, Happy broke through Friday night at the Cowboy Corral, overwhelming previously unbeaten Wildorado 57-12 to earn their first victory of the year and hand the Mustangs their first loss.
The Cowboys controlled the game on both sides of the ball, using a punishing ground attack, and a swarming defense that kept Wildorado from finding any rhythm. Happy led 57-12 at halftime, invoking the mercy rule and bringing the game to an early conclusion.
The victory moved Happy to 1-3 on the season, while Wildorado fell to 3-1.
“We set the tone early, and I felt like this game came to fruition because of the way we played our last two games,” Happy head coach Stacy Perryman said “We were excited about the way we started and how we were able to finish.”
Luke Dempsey was at the center of the Cowboys offensive attack, consistently making Wildorado pay with explosive plays.
Dempsey finished the night with 172 total yards and four touchdowns, including a 50-yard kickoff return for a score, providing Happy with a stellar performance throughout the homecoming victory.
“This is what we were supposed to do from the beginning,” Dempsey said “We will keep the momentum from this win tonight moving forward.”
Happy wasted little time establishing control.
The Cowboys found the endzone on their opening drive with Dempsey breaking free for a 28-yard touchdown run to give Happy an early advantage. Dempsey added two more rushing touchdowns in the first quarter to help the cowboys pull away early.
Happy’s defense contributed to the early lead when AJ Seal recovered a mustang fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 30-0 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
The early deficit proved to much for the Mustangs to overcome, but Wildorado found offense success in the second quarter.
Freshman Quarterback Chowder Howell connected with Braylon File for a 22-yard touchdown to put Wildorado on the scoreboard. Happy immediately answered, however, as Dempsey took the ensuing kickoff 50 yards for a Happy touchdown.
Kreid Cluck then added two more scores for the Cowboys, finding the end zone once through the air and once on the ground. By that point, Happy had received touchdown contributions from four different players and had firmly taken control of the contest.
“You need to look at the guys up front,” Dempsey said “Those are the guys the make the scores happen. Those are the guys that really matter.
Wildorado continued to battle, when Howell and File connected again on a 50-yard touchdown pass. Howell finished the night with 183 passing yards and two touchdowns, while File caught four passes for 101 yards and two scores.
Despite the loss, Freshman Howell and File were impressive. Howell ended the night with 183 pass yard and two scores while File caught four passes for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Cowboys added one final score before the end of the first half when homecoming king Gabriel Mosser scored on a 19-yard run, brining the final score to 57-12 and ending the game via the six-man mercy rule.
“Its one of the greatest feelings,” Mosser said “To get the win in front of the whole town who supports this program.”
Happy finished with 252 yards of offense, including 190 rushing yards and 62 yards through the air.
The Cowboy’s defense was equally effective, limiting Wildorado’s opportunities and contributing several sacks, tackles for loss, an interception, and a fumble return for a touchdown.
“We talk about our brand of football. We never guarantee that we’re going to get a win whenever you buy a ticket, but we’re going to guarantee that we’re going to play hard. We’re going to be tough and we’re going to be the Cowboy standard. So, if we can do that every night, then I’m happy,” Happy head coach Stacy Perryman said.
For Happy, the performance brought a much-needed breakthrough and a chance to build momentum as the season progresses.
Happy will look to carry that momentum from Friday’s victory into next week when they travel to Claude. Wildorado will look to bounce back against Groom.
Photo gallery by Tyler Anderson:
