Commerce runs wild over North Dallas, 50-8

By Kevin Carson

Special to the Herald Banner

DALLAS - Mercy.

The Commerce Tigers didn't bestow any on the North Dallas Bulldogs in the first half, but there were more than benevolent in the final two quarters of their 50-8 non-district win Friday at Franklin Field.

Commerce, a perennial power in Class 3A, scored on all seven first-half possessions while holding the 5A Bulldogs to just 14 yards to nail a 50-0 lead at intermission.

The Tigers' starters racked up 335 yards offense in the first two periods before giving way to the reserves in the second half.

"Our kids played really well in the first half," said Tiger defensive coordinator Bill Draughn. "They (North Dallas) were much improved over last year but we had worked hard all week and were well prepared."

North Dallas, 0-3 on the season, wasn't prepared for Tiger quarterback Chad Anderson, however, as he rushed for 101 yards and passed for 96 more while engineering all seven scoring drives.

"They were crowding the inside like Coach Lineweaver told me they would," said Anderson. "The line did a great job blocking. I just followed their leads and cut outside."

Anderson gained 64 yards on the first Commerce drive, capped by Ryan Sienty's 1-yard run to start the onslaught.

Then Sienty tossed to Kendall Reeves on a fake point-after kick try that put the Tigers up 8-0 with 6:40 remaining in the opening quarter.

Billy Mercer recovered a North Dallas fumble at the Bulldog 32 on the ensuing kickoff and Commerce needed just two plays to cash in on a 10-yard run by Clifford Ethridge. Sienty figured again on the two-point conversion as he took a pass from Logan Coffey on a busted extra-point try.

It only got worse in the second stanza as Avin Johnson scored on a 39-yard run and Sienty added a 7-yard run on the next two possessions.

Johnson collected 73 yards on five carries while Sienty picked up 45 yards on eight tries.

Chris McMurray notched the sixth Commerce score on a 2-yard run with 2:04 left in the half and then Johnson capped scoring with a 39-yard pass and run from Anderson.

The North Dallas offense showed some spark in the second half as it marched 71 yards on eight plays. Sydney Rubles, who led the Bulldogs with 81 yards rushing, scored on a 1-yard run.

Overall, the Tigers racked up 357 total yards while holding North Dallas to 124.

The officials also had mercy on both teams as they elected to run the clock in the second half.

by Keven Carson