The Isabella Mustangs started the 2014 season Friday with a 33-14 victory over the visiting Hale County Wildcats (1-1).

The Mustangs wasted no time putting points on the board, accounting for the first touchdown of the game in just over 10 seconds of play.

The Wildcats answered with their own touchdown, evening up the score 7-7 with 10:13 to go in the first quarter.

Isabella’s Tyler Smith posted the Mustangs’ next touchdown, followed by another Wildcats touchdown to tie the score, 14-14.

The Mustangs’ Caleb Giles pulled another early touchdown out of the hat within about 10 seconds of the start of the second quarter.

With 30 seconds left, Isabella’s offense squeezed in another six points to end the half, 26-14.

Senior Jacob Carroll caught a pass late in the third quarter for another Mustangs touchdown.

“This was a big game for us,” Isabella head coach Scott Booth said. “Our team played hard for me, but not only for me, for this school and this community. They wanted to show some pride out here tonight.”

The Mustangs will have a bye Sept. 5 and then host region foe Autaugaville on Sept. 12.

“We’re off next week. We don’t want to be off, but we’ll be working hard to get ready for Autaugaville,” Booth said. “We’re excited about this win tonight. Our defense stepped up in the second half and played football. This was just a huge win for our team, our school and our community.”

2014 Isabella graduate and former football player De’Rodgus Campbell was recognized during halftime Friday for his state championship wins in the long jump and 100-meter dash.

Campbell was presented with a state championship ring.