Leopards dominate with ground game, defense in conference opener

Published On: September 30, 2025Categories: High School, News

Malvern 35, Genoa Central 0

TEXARKANA — Malvern opened conference play with a convincing 35–0 road win at Genoa Central on Friday, Sept. 26, riding a bruising ground game and a disciplined defense to a shutout. The Leopards controlled field position most of the night and finished drives.

Senior running back Tavien Clegg slashed the Dragons throughout, piling up 199 rushing yards by late in the third quarter and finishing over 200 after a first‑quarter breakaway for 14–0. Kyler Wright (DE/QB) added two short keepers, and Devon Juniel started the scoring with an early plunge. Elijah Jones (NG) capped the third with a fumble recovery in the end zone. Allen Cervantes was perfect on five PATs and repeatedly pinned Genoa Central with deep kickoffs. (Positions per Hudl rosters.)

Genoa Central produced opportunities. Quarterback Riley Harris threaded several deep balls, including a go route to freshman wideout Brennan Taylor that set up first‑and‑goal. Junior B.J. Colley high‑pointed a contested catch and later intercepted a pass to stall a Malvern march. Kenyon Dixon flashed on perimeter runs and in the return game, while TE/OLB Austin Fouche found pockets underneath. The Dragons reached the Leopard five before Malvern’s defense held on fourth down. (Hudl: Harris—QB; Taylor—WR; Colley; Dixon—WR/CB; Fouche—TE/OLB.)

Up front, Brandon Jackson (DT) and David Hutchins (OLB) set the tone with constant pressure and tackles for loss, and Hutchins added a third‑quarter interception to snuff a drive. Combined with Clegg’s workhorse night and Wright’s power finishing, Malvern left Texarkana with a clean, physical win that travels well into October.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter Malvern – Devon Juniel run (Allen Cervantes kick), Malvern 7–0
1st Quarter Malvern – Tavien Clegg long run (Cervantes kick), Malvern 14–0
2nd Quarter — No score
3rd Quarter Malvern – Kyler Wright 1‑yd sneak (Cervantes kick), Malvern 21–0
3rd Quarter Malvern – Elijah Jones fumble‑recovery in end zone (Cervantes kick), Malvern 28–0
4th Quarter Malvern – Wright 2‑yd keeper (Cervantes kick), Malvern 35–0

Standouts

Tavien Clegg (RB, Malvern) — 1 TD; 199+ rush yds through three quarters; finished 200+.
Kyler Wright (DE/QB, Malvern) — 2 rushing TDs.
Elijah Jones (NG, Malvern) — Fumble‑recovery TD.
David Hutchins (OLB, Malvern) — 1 interception; multiple tackles.
Brandon Jackson (DT, Malvern) — Frequent backfield stops.