Ruston 63, Cabot 28

Ruston 63, Cabot 28

CABOT — Ruston showed why it is a perennial Louisiana 5A power, pulling away for a 63–28 victory over Cabot on Friday night at Panther Stadium. The Bearcats scored in all three phases and leaned on running back Dalon Pal, who surpassed 100 yards rushing with multiple touchdowns, and junior quarterback Sam Hartwell, who accounted for three scores.

Cabot, despite being shorthanded with several starters out, battled back from a 21–0 deficit. Senior return man Jaylen Hart electrified the crowd with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the first quarter, and running back Cooper Palpowered in a 1-yard Wildcat keeper for another score. Senior quarterback Maddox McCrory added two second-quarter touchdown strikes to Aiden Tatum, including a highlight 36-yard jump-ball catch and a leaping grab in the back of the end zone. In the third quarter, McCrory found sophomore Canon Moore wide open for a 59-yard touchdown.

Ruston, however, answered each time. Tight end Ahmad Hudson (6-8, 242) was a matchup nightmare, hauling in two touchdown passes, while receiver Josiah Morgan and fullback Lander Smith also scored. The Bearcats’ defense added points when Jaden Anding scooped a fumble for a first-quarter touchdown.

Cabot enters its bye week 0–3 but showed flashes of explosiveness that will serve them well entering 7A-Central play at Little Rock Christian in two weeks.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Ruston – Sam Hartwell 12-yd run (Ramos kick), 7–0
Ruston – Ahmad Hudson 4-yd pass from Hartwell (Ramos kick), 14–0
Ruston – Jaden Anding 20-yd fumble return (Ramos kick), 21–0
Cabot – Jaylen Hart 95-yd kickoff return (Hire kick), 21–7

2nd Quarter
Cabot – Cooper Pal 1-yd run (Hire kick), 21–14
Ruston – Dalon Pal 4-yd run (Ramos kick), 28–14
Ruston – Josiah Morgan 33-yd catch from Hartwell (Ramos kick), 35–14
Ruston – Hartwell 15-yd run (Ramos kick), 42–14
Cabot – Aiden Tatum 36-yd catch from McCrory (Hire kick), 42–21

3rd Quarter
Ruston – Lander Smith 1-yd run (Ramos kick), 49–21
Cabot – Canon Moore 59-yd catch from McCrory (Hire kick), 49–28
Ruston – Hudson 25-yd catch from Hartwell (Ramos kick), 56–28
Ruston – Pal 12-yd run (Ramos kick), 63–28

Players who stood out

• Dalon Pal (RB, Ruston) — 120+ rushing yards, 3 TDs.

• Sam Hartwell (QB, Ruston) — 2 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs.

• Ahmad Hudson (TE, Ruston) — 2 TD catches, red-zone mismatch.

• Jaylen Hart (KR/WR, Cabot) — 95-yd kickoff return TD.

• Aiden Tatum (WR, Cabot) — 2 TD catches, highlight grabs.

• Canon Moore (WR, Cabot) — 59-yd TD reception.