By SCOTT CLENDENIN
Special to The Eagle

NAVASOTA -- The fifth-ranked Navasota Rattlers ended Rudder's first winning streak and celebrated Homecoming with a 41-14 victory in their District 24-3A opener Friday.

Navasota (5-0, 1-0) rushed for 336 yards and never trailed after Kye Hildreth and Antoine Burrell rushed for first-quarter touchdowns.

Rudder's Kyle Danford scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter to cut Navasota's lead to 14-7. But the Rattlers answered with Hildreth's 16-yard TD pass to Tevin Creeks with 10 seconds left in the first half then two more touchdowns in the third quarter to build a 35-7 lead.

Hildreth led Navasota with 228 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. He also completed 5 of 11 passes for 70 yards.

Rudder (2-2, 0-1) was coming off victories over Brookshire Royal and Hearne, the program's first wins since joining the varsity level last season.

The Rangers cut Navasota's lead to 35-14 in the fourth quarter with an 11-play, 62-yard drive capped by Hammond's 5-yard touchdown run. Hammond rushed eight times on the drive, finishing with 42 yards on 13 carries for the game.

Navasota outgained Rudder 406 yards to 209 in total offense and made the Rangers pay for mistakes. Rudder had five turnovers, including four lost fumbles.

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