Box Score McPherson, Kan – After 287 days away from the field, the Bulldogs returned to action last night for their first matchup of the 2025 season. They would face the Avila Eagles, who finished their 2024 season with a 4-7 record and looked to start off their season with a win on the road.
The Basics
Location: McPherson Stadium
Score: MC 52, AU 7
Records: MC 1-0 (0-0 KCAC), AU 0-1 (0-0 KCAC)
How it Happened
McPherson would defer to the second half after winning the coin toss, putting Avila’s offense to the test on the opening drive. After the Bulldogs stalled the Eagles’ offense, Azaiah Gonzalez would put McPherson’s offense in prime position on their opening drive after returning the ensuing punt all the way back to Avila’s 12-yard line for a 39-yard return. Jalil Brown wasted no time at all galloping into the endzone for the Bulldogs’ first score of the night for the opening 7-0 advantage. Avila fired right back on their next drive as quarterback Duce Taylor connected with Notre Dame College transfer Seth Myers on a 60-yard reception to knot the game up at 7-7.
Following the kickoff, it would be Jalil Brown once again spinning off defenders finding the endzone on a five-yard rush, capping off a 12-play 67-yard drive for the 14-7 lead. Avila Punter Tristen Hood got off a 40-yard punt for the Eagles, but Gonzalez would once again find a lane downfield and rack up a 43-yard return the other way, turning a 40-yard punt into a net of -3 yards. Jack Finder would be called upon for a 31-yard field goal attempt and the Sophomore would connect on his first kick of the season, expanding upon the 17-7 scoreline.
In the second quarter, Markarian would find his first touchdown through the air after a beautiful deep ball was hauled in by Traven Lewis-Johnson for a 72-yard touchdown, giving the Bulldogs even more cushion with a 24-7 lead. On Avila’s next possession, Kevin Hasley would come up with the interception on Taylor’s pass attempt and sprinted 44 yards the other way on the return. Following the two-minute break, Markarian would find Adryan Rodriguez on a 14-yard reception into the endzone for the touchdown, adding onto the lead at 31-7.
The second half would be continued dominance by the Bulldogs, as they would not give up another Avila score for the remainder of the night. Following a forced fumble by Joshua Ferguson on Taylor recovered by Malachi Mazzetti, Jalil Brown would find yet another rushing touchdown on a 63-yard burst through the goal line for the 38-7 lead. Nearing the end of the third quarter, Kirby Lewis made a phenomenal special teams play after recovering a muffed punt on Avila’s 15-yard line. This led to a Chris Njuguna rushing score in the fourth quarter for the 45-7 advantage.
McPherson’s final score of the night would happen at the 1:51 mark of the fourth quarter, as Belclem Namegabe pushed his way into the endzone from three yards out to extend the lead to 52-7. As the final second ticked off the clock, it would be the McPherson Bulldogs taking the 52-7 victory over the Avila Eagles.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will hit the road next Saturday to take on Bethel College at Thresher Stadium on September 6th. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM in North Newton, KS.
