Alvord running back Zane Fuentes racked up 237 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 27-20 District 6-2A Division I home win over Tioga Thursday. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER

It took a little while for the Alvord Bulldogs to get going in their Week 9 District 6-2A Division I home battle against Tioga Thursday, but the home squad came up big when it mattered most.

Trailing by 12 after the first quarter, the Bulldogs tied the game at 20 just before halftime, and took their first lead early in the final frame thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Cutter Hamilton. 

With Tioga facing 4th and 14 at the Alvord 16-yard line, the Bulldogs pressured Tioga quarterback Greeley McAden, resulting in a turnover of downs with 2:05 left in the contest.

”We’ve struggled in space throughout the year, and we knew that Tioga was going to stretch us out and try to put us in a bind,” Alvord coach Matt Fanning said. “[Defensive coordinator Scott] Bishop and his staff made the adjustments that they needed to, and our kids responded and did what was asked of them.”

Alvord running back Cutter Hamilton works his way downfield against the Tioga defense in the Bulldogs’ 27-20 home win Thursday. Hamilton finished with 30 rushing yards and one touchdown on five carries. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER

The big defensive stand allowed Alvord (7-2) to claim a 27-20 rivalry victory, and kept the Bulldogs’ league record unblemished, improving to 5-0 with one game left.

”This was a tough week, and these guys faced every bit of adversity thrown at them — moving the game because of the potentially bad weather, nagging injuries, shortened practices and Senior Night festivities. We started off slow, but we rallied back. I’m really proud of the way they responded to the situation. They’ve got some fight in them, that’s for sure.” 

The bulk of Alvord’s offense (322 total yards) was gained by running back Zane Fuentes. The Army commit tallied 237 of the Bulldogs’ 249 rushing yards and three touchdown runs in the victory. 

“Zane’s a phenomenal football player, and a great asset to our team. He’s a leader, and not just a player,” Fanning said. “It took us a while to find out where [Tioga’s] defense was soft, and he did a great job of exploiting that. Hats off to our offensive line — I think they’re the most dominant unit in the area. When Zane needed a breather, we put Cutter back there, and he did a great job, too.”

Fuentes’ 1-yard scoring run early in the second quarter trimmed Tioga’s lead to four points, 12-6. Following Tioga quarterback Greeley McAden’s second touchdown run of the game and a two-point conversion, Fuentes tacked on two more end zone visits on runs measuring 43 and 19 yards, tying the contest at halftime at 20.

Alvord senior lineman Jackson Uloth attempts to pump up the crowd late in the fourth quarter of Week 9’s home battle against Tioga Thursday. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER

“Tonight was very big for our team,” Fuentes said. “We’re circling a district championship, and we’re getting one step closer every week. We really persevered tonight. We started off slow and gave up points that we shouldn’t have, but we fought back and came together as a team. I was really proud of us all.”

The veteran Bulldog back came close to having four scores in the game, but his 84-yard sprint through Tioga’s defense and into the end zone was called back after Alvord was called for holding late in the fourth quarter.

Under center, quarterback Dalton George completed three of his six passing attempts for 72 yards. Wide receiver Brayden Clark finished with 52 yards on a pair of George’s passes.

McAden accounted for 208 of Tioga’s 291 yards of offense. He led the visitors in rushing yardage with 79 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, while throwing for 129 yards and one score on 14-of-25 passing. 

Tioga wide receiver Justin Arrington caught six passes from McAden, accumulating 82 yards. 

Alvord lineman Matthew Gonzalez celebrates with running back Zane Fuentes after Fuentes’ first-quarter touchdown run against Tioga Thursday at Bulldog Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER

Alvord will observe a bye in Week 6 before facing Wolfe City in its league finale 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Don Howard Stadium — a contest that could possibly decide the district championship. 

The Wolves (5-3) climbed to 4-0 in league play Friday following a 62-23 Week 9 win over Whitewright. Next week, Wolfe City will take on Tioga 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Tioga’s Bulldog Stadium.

“It’s going to be a dogfight, that’s for sure,” Fuentes said. “Wolfe City is a really good team. But we’re not going to step down from the challenge. We didn’t step down against [Tioga], and they’re a really good team, as well. We’re just looking forward to going to battle one more time.”

Fanning’s plan for the Bulldogs in the next two weeks is to get healed up and ready to contend for a league title.

“We’re going to work on a game plan,” Fanning said. “We’ll take advantage of the bye week in order to get healthy and get our legs back under us. But we’ll also get some mental reps in and do what we need to do to prepare. We’ll do our best to be ready.” 

Alvord quarterback Dalton George (18) and wide receiver Zane Smith (2) lead the Bulldogs’ postgame celebration after the Bulldogs (7-2, 5-0) defeated Tioga Thursday, 27-20. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER

Key takeaways

Fuentes continues to shine in Alvord’s backfield

Big game moments have become the norm for Fuentes — in fact, his resume is filled with them.

With Week 9’s win over Tioga, Fuentes has racked up 1,179 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns this season.

One thing’s for sure — if Fuentes is in the backfield, there’s a good chance you’ll see him celebrating in the end zone.

Program turnaround under Fanning has Bulldogs back in the hunt

What a difference a year and a new voice in the locker room make.

Fanning — who arrived in Alvord at the beginning of 2025 after a 1-year stint at Hardin-Simmons University as an assistant coach — has the Bulldogs on the cusp of the district championship.

A district title in his first season on the sidelines would be the icing on the cake for the Bulldogs, and build momentum entering the 2AI postseason.

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