By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The Isabella Mustangs defeated Highland Home 48-20.

The Mustangs started out of the gate with a scoring drive. Jaqarise Stacy scored quickly on an 8-yard quarterback keep.

Then the Mustangs kept the pressure on, forcing a punt. Isabella soon scored again on an 18-yard pass to Jordan Campbell, leaving 2:04 on the clock for the first quarter.

After a series of unproductive drives by both teams, Isabella got the ball back with 7:48 left in the second quarter. With a few touches by Stacy, the team was within scoring range. Austin Brasher ran the ball 15 yards for the Mustangs’ third unanswered touchdown.

Isabella fans’ cowbells rang out as Highland Home tried to squeeze in some points before the half, but they were unsuccessful against the Mustangs defense.

The second half started off with some key stops on defense, followed with an interception by Michael Mathis of Isabella.

With 7:51 on the clock for the quarter, Brasher ran the ball 7 yards to get the Mustangs into the red zone. Then, Jarred Campbell put the ball in with a 20-yard run, putting the score at 27-0.

Highland Home received the punt and started a quick drive towards the end zone. Three consecutive passes connected for big yardage, resulting in a touchdown.

Isabella quickly answered with a scoring drive of their own, completed by an impressive 61-yard run by Campbell for the touchdown.

Then, the Mustangs scored again on a 10-yard run by Brasher with 11:08 left in the game to put the score at 41-7.

A few errors spelled bad news for the boys in black, and Highland Home capitalized to pick up 13 points in two minutes, closing the gap to 48-20.

Isabella would not allow any more points, though. The Mustangs held the score at 48-20 bringing home a comfortable victory for the homecoming game.

Stacy had 152 yards total, including an 85-yard punt return. Brasher had 110 rushing yards and Campbell had 143 yards on ten carries.

“We wanted to dominate, and we did,” said Coach Tate Leonard. “It was homecoming, and the guys could have gotten distracted, but they stayed focused and we won.”