MOORE – Tristen Russell wasn’t concerned with personal accolades on Friday night.
The senior quarterback merely set a school record with seven passing touchdowns while throwing for 359 yards in Mustang’s 57-26 win over Southmoore.
But following the game, Russell already had his mind on Week 2.
“It feels good on opening night,” he said. “But we had a lot of mental mistakes in the first half… a lot of things to improve on. We need to fix those things so we can get a win next week.”
Mustang’s explosiveness was on full display between Russell and senior receivers Jacobe Johnson and Keegan Bass. Johnson and Bass combined for five touchdown receptions and helped Russell pick apart Southmoore’s secondary.
Johnson, an Oklahoma-commit, caught seven passes for 177 yards with three touchdowns and returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score. Bass, an Air Force-commit, finished with 97 yards on four receptions and found the endzone twice.
Johnson burst through Southmoore’s defensive backfield for a 65-yard touchdown catch for Mustang’s opening touchdown and then scored on a 99-yard kickoff return. He also weaved his way to a 61-yard score in the second quarter and caught a 59-yard bomb just before halftime.
Bass showed off his playmaking ability with a 19-yard touchdown reception before closing out the first half with a 43-yard catch-and-run to give Mustang a 43-13 lead.
“It was great,” Russell said of his chemistry with both receivers during the season opener. “It’s great to have Keegan back and have them out there at the same time again. They were huge tonight.”
Russell found senior running back Pryce Burgess for a 15-yard score in the third quarter and returned later in the game for a one-yard touchdown pass to senior Evan Rader.
Mustang also eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground, including 30 yards from senior Jay Bedford and 20 from junior Bryance Sanders. Russell tallied 25 rushing yards.
The Broncos were stout defensively, holding Southmoore to just 61 yards rushing and 270 total. Mustang forced six punts and stuffed the Sabercats on third down 12 times.
The Broncos (1-0) host Class 6A-II Deer Creek next week in the team’s home opener. The Antlers are 2-0 with wins over Edmond Memorial and Edmond North to start the season.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bronco Stadium.
