The Northwest Texans defense was the defining force in Thursday night’s 28-7 win against the Grapevine Mustangs. The Texans forced seven turnovers including a fumble return for a touchdown and two interceptions.

”Our defense played great and played hard and did all sorts of good things,” said Northwest head coach Bill Patterson. “But we do need to punt better.”

Halfway through the first quarter, the Mustangs (1-1) scored their lone touchdown by quarterback Brett Harbin connecting on a 35-yard pass to Bryson Cook.

The Texans (2-0) were unable to get a first down immediately after and turned the ball over to the Mustangs. The Texan’s Joe Gonzales was able to pick up a fumble and run for a 35-yard touchdown.

With seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Texans were 13 yards from the end zone but a personal foul on Grapevine allowed the Texans to have an untimed down. Northwest quarterback Draze Lawliss took advantage completing a short pass to running back Emmanual Moore for a touchdown and a 14-7 Texan lead.

Lawliss guided the Texans with a pass to Jarrod Frannich with just over three minutes remaining in the half.

The Texan defense picked up where it left off in the third quarter. Northwest’s Derek Benson interception stopped a Mustang drive, setting up a Lawliss 17-yard touchdown strike to Emmanual Moore.

“The defense played excellent, but the first half offense came out a little rough, and the second half we definitely opened up the playbook,” Lawliss said. “This is a big confidence boost. We have a lot of confidence going in to Midlothian.”

Neither team was able to get on the board again, allowing the Texans their second win.

“We’re just going to keep going and riding the momentum,” said senior Dakota Chavis.

GRAPEVINE … … 7 … 0 … 0 … 0-7
NORTHWEST … … 7 … 14 … 7 … 0-28

FIRST QUARTER

Grapevine – Bryson Cook 30 pass from Brett Harbin; Nick Grau kick
Northwest – Joe Gonzales 35 fumble return; Cayden Ihrig kick

SECOND QUARTER

Northwest – Emmanuel Moore 13 run; Ihrig kick
Northwest – Jerrod Franich 32 pass from Draze Lawliss; Ihrig kick

THIRD QUARTER

Northwest – Emmanuel Moore 17 pass from Lawliss; Ihrig kick

GRAPEVINE … NORTHWEST

First downs … 8 … 15
Rushes-yards … 32 … 150
Passing yards … 124 … 95
Total yards … 156 … 245
Comp-Att-Int … 12-24-5 … 11-17-0
Punts … 4-135 … 7-202
Fumbles-lost … 3-2 … 1-1
Penalties-yards … 8-60 … 9-86

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – Grapevine, Marcus Dempsey 3-37; Northwest, Dakota Chavis 18-55
Receiving – Grapevine, Bryson Cook 4-85; Northwest, Emmanuel Moore 5-43
Passing – Grapevine, Brett Harbin 12-24-5-124; Northwest, Draze Lawliss, 11-17-0-95