Bridgeport receiver Trace Marlett scored a 43-yard touchdown tossed by Dylan Hunter for the Bulls’ first touchdown against Bowie Friday. The game was called off at the beginning of the second half due to lightning with the Jackrabbits leading 21-14. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER

The Bridgeport Bulls were sent home early in their road contest against Bowie after a series of weather delays on Friday.

After waiting a half-hour for the original lightning delay to expire at halftime, it looked like the battle of the maroons was set to resume. But before Bowie could get a play off in the start of the third quarter, the game was canceled and billed as a no contest.

The Jackrabbits (0-1) led the Bulls (0-1) 21-14 when the remainder of the game was suspended.

Bridgeport found the end zone first on the night.

After moving the chains on a Bowie penalty, Bridgeport quarterback Dylan Hunter tossed a 43-yard touchdown to receiver Trace Marlett, who scampered up the sideline and broke the goal line at the 9:03 mark.

Less than a minute later, Bowie quarterback Rayder Mann struck back quick. He scored from over 70 yards out by pulling the ball on a read option and evading the Bridgeport defense en route to a Jackrabbit touchdown.

The Bulls pieced together their most impressive and methodical drive in response. Bridgeport used a balanced run-pass approach, leaning on receiver Cooper Byers and tight end Mason Bentley to pick up chunk yards through the air in the process. Byers reeled in a 3-yard receiving touchdown to close out the 5-minute drive and go up by a score.

“We really emphasized this week coming out sharp and doing the little things right,” Bridgeport coach Aaron Cupp said. “I thought we had a really good, consistent first half moving the ball. I felt like we put together drives that were starting to show more than just flashes of who we can be as an offense, and if we can continue that, we can be a tough out.”

Mann carried Bowie’s offensive load to help even the score on the ensuing drive. He used his legs again to thrash the Bridgeport defense, setting up a 7-yard walk in touchdown by Lane Whitfield before the first quarter ended.

The two teams traded a few scoreless drives before a Bridgeport punt pinned the Jackrabbits at their 3. With 54 seconds left in the half, Mann got his second touchdown of the night, rushing in from 47 yards out to cap off a 97-yard drive.

“It’s like with everything, we just have to make sure we’re tackling a little bit better,” Cupp said. “[Mann] really is a pretty special athlete, and I think that’s obvious. With guys like that, you know you can’t stop everything and they’re gonna make some plays. But the goal is to tackle consistently and minimize the amount he’s able to hurt you.”

Bridgeport couldn’t make a miracle happen from its own 16 before halftime, sealing the game at 21-14 before the game was called due to the weather.

Bridgeport travels to Barnes Stadium next week for a non-district contest against Castleberry.

Decatur wide receiver Wyatt Dunn lunges past a defender en route to a 28-yard receiving touchdown against Denison in Week 2 Sept. 5 at Munson Stadium. The gane was called off shortly before the end of the first quarter due to inclement weather. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER

Eagles draw no contest against Denison

The Decatur Eagles will have to wait a little bit longer before recording their first win of the 2025 season.

Decatur held a 13-0 lead over Denison in the teams’ Week 2 showdown at Munson Stadium, but inclement weather forced the game to be called off with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.

According to Decatur’s coaching staff, the game was billed as no contest due to the contest bot reaching halftime.

Decatur’s defense set the tone of the game early, as the Eagles recovered a fumble on Denison’s first offensive play.

Eagle quarterback Rhys Ragan took advantage of the shorten field, connecting with wide receiver Wyatt Dunn for a 28-yard touchdown pass. However, Decatur’s lead was limited to six points after a failed extra point attempt.

Following a Denison punt on the Yellowjackets’ second possession, the tandem of Ragan and Dunn struck again — this time on a 36-yard strike.

Ragan completed two of his six passing attempts for 64 yards, with both passes being caught by Dunn.

Denison was driving toward the end zone when play was suspended. The Yellowjackets had the ball 1st and 10 on the Decatur 32-yard line.

The Eagles racked up 93 yards on the ground. Running back Jamari Fletcher led the team with 42 yards on three carries.

Decatur (0-1) will open Eagle Stadium for the first time this season in Week 3 with a battle against defending TAPPS Division I state champion Argyle Liberty Christian 7 p.m. Sept 12.

The Warriors are 0-2 after back-to-back losses to Anna (31-28) and Texarkana Texas High (49-37).

Last season, the Eagles suffered a 49-21 loss to Argyle Liberty Christian in Week 3.

Other scores around the county

• Lindsay 21, Alvord 9
• Boyd 26, Jacksboro 21
• Paradise 47, Godley 20
• Northwest 23, McKinney North 9 (Sept. 4)
• VCA 65, Fort Worth Temple Christian 18 (Sept. 4)
• Trenton 20, Chico 0 (game called in the third quarter; no contest)