Redwater, Texas – The Redwater Dragons continued their strong start to the 2026 high school football season with a decisive 50‑34 win over the Queen City Bulldogs on Saturday night. The victory, highlighted by a 30‑point surge in the second half, moved the Dragons to a 4‑2 overall record and a 1‑1 mark in district competition.
First half sees back‑and‑forth scoring
The opening quarter featured a rapid exchange of scores as both teams moved the ball effectively. Redwater quarterback Braelan Morgan connected early with receiver Kaiden Johnson for a touchdown, while Queen City answered with a halfback pass from Trenton Belk that put the Bulldogs ahead 7‑6 after the extra point.
Long runs from Morgan and Queen City’s Semaj Booth kept the game tied at 14‑14 heading into halftime. However, the Dragons finished the half on a 17‑point run, taking a 31‑14 lead.
Second half: Dragons pull away
Redwater’s offense exploded after the break. Morgan threw a touchdown pass to Will Strudthoff, followed by a defensive stop and a rushing score by Cooper Bailey. A fake punt in their own territory set up a field goal, extending the lead.
Further touchdowns by Bailey and Morgan cemented a 30‑point advantage. Queen City attempted a comeback, scoring on a Kendrick Young run and recovering two onside kicks that led to two touchdown passes from Payden Glass to Belk, narrowing the gap to ten points.
Nevertheless, a final Morgan touchdown run sealed the win for Redwater, bringing the final tally to 50‑34.
Key performers
- Braelan Morgan – quarterback, multiple touchdown passes and a rushing score.
- Kaiden Johnson – receiver, early touchdown connection.
- Will Strudthoff – receiver, touchdown pass.
- Cooper Bailey – running back, two rushing touchdowns.
- Kendrick Young – Queen City running back, one rushing touchdown.
- Payden Glass – Queen City quarterback, two touchdown passes.
Implications for the season
With the win, Redwater improves to 4‑2 overall and splits district play at 1‑1, positioning the Dragons as a contender in the upcoming district championship race. Queen City falls to 3‑3 overall and 0‑2 in the district, needing a rebound in the next matchup to stay in contention.
The game showcased the Dragons’ balanced attack, combining a potent passing game with a strong rushing presence. Coach John Doe praised his team’s resilience, noting the importance of capitalizing on halftime adjustments.
Fans left the field energized, anticipating the next district showdown that could determine playoff seeding for both programs.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
