The sun is shining and the footballs are flying, so it must be time for some football.

Welcome back to the Lounge everyone as we kick off the 2009 football season, Hereford visiting Lowrey Field to take on Estacado. This was a good game for about 21/2 quarters last year before Hereford pulled away for a 42-20 victory.

Look for Hereford to sling the ball around with three-year starter Parker Bridwell and a pair of top receivers back. Estacado looks to establish its running game with Augustine Abigide, Alton White and Quentin Patterson, so controlling the tempo will be key for both teams.

Check back throughout the game for updates.

gw

Update, 5:36 first quarter
Hereford took the opening kickoff and drove 68 yards in 12 plays, converting two third downs and a fourth down that resulted in a 20-yard TD strike from quarterback Parker Bridwell to Jonathan Davis for a quick 7-0 lead.

Estacado went three and out on its first drive, and the punt was snapped over Joey Andrist’s head and recovered at the Mats’ 20. It took just three plays for the Herd to capitzlize as Bridwell found Davis again, this time from 8 yards out to make it a 14-0 game.

Estacado, though, is driving and is deep in Hereford territory.

END FIRST QUARTER
Estacado gets on the board to make it 14-6 just before the end of the period, and gets a huge turnover.

On first down, Chase Yosten is sprinting down the left sideline a step ahead of cornerback Cody Cortez. As Yosten is hauling in a pass from Bridwell, the pass squirts out of his arms behind him and right to Cortez, who snares the ball just as he is tiptoeing out of bounds for the interception.

14-6 Hereford to the second quarter.

Update, 1:47 second quarter
Hereford takes advantage of a Deverick Stubblefield interception to extend its lead to 21-6. Bridwell capped an eight-play 72-yard drive with his third TD toss of the night, this one to Chase Yosten from 10 yards out.

Estacado is driving into Hereford territory. Stay tuned …

HALFTIME
Estacado’s drive bogged down at the Hereford 5 yard line on two runs for negative yards and a pass in the ground to kill the clock. On fourth down, Alton White ran for 6 yards but was tripped up just shy of the goalline, turning the ball over on downs.

Estacado leads in total yardage 192-156, but the muffed punt and interception have been the Mats’ undoing. Deverick Stubblefield has looked good under center, throwing for 75 yards and rushing for 42, while Augustine Abigide has 60 yards on the ground.

Hereford’s Parker Bridwell is 13 of 17 for 137 yards and three touchdowns, two to Jonathan Davis.

21-6 Herd to the third quarter.