FOOTBALL STARTS SEASON WITH LOSS AT MCPHERSON

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Avila football was unable to stop a balanced McPherson offense on Saturday, losing on the road in the season opener, 52-7.

Answering back from a Bulldog opening-drive score, Avila put up their biggest offensive play of the day early in the first quarter.

Trailing 7-0, quarterback Duce Taylor found junior receiver Seth Myers for a 60-yard touchdown reception, evening the game at 7-7.

From there, McPherson would run away with the game.

Putting up 10 more points in the opening quarter, the Bulldogs added a pair of touchdowns in the second to enter halftime leading 31-7.

Avila's offense was unable to capitalize on its 302 yards of total offense, as McPherson scored three times on the ground in the second half to finalize the 52-7 scoreline.

Three total turnovers doomed the Eagles in the season-opener as Duce Taylor finished his Avila debut completing 11-of-18 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Myers started his season with five receptions for 109 yards and a score while Shamar Scruggs led all players with 16 tackles. Avila's lone takeaway of the game came from Joseph Hathaway, who recorded a fourth-quarter, fourth-down interception.

Avila returns to Kansas City to prepare for its 2025 home opener next Saturday, taking on Friends from The Z at 1 PM.

(photo credit: Issy Aguilar)