CALDWELL -- The Rudder Ranger football team is learning a lot of tough lessons this season. They got another Friday night.

The latest tutorial was administered by the Caldwell Hornets, who rushed for 626 yards en route to a 72-18 victory at Hornet Stadium.

Caldwell, which scored on seven of its eight first half possessions, improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in District 24-3A.

"That is just what we do offensively," Caldwell head coach Dale Williams said of his team's rushing game. "We don't do anything real flashy or special, it is just old-school football."

The only time the Hornets didn't score in the first half was the first time they had the ball. On their first play from scrimmage a bad center-quarterback exchange led to a fumble, which was recovered by Rudder's Kelvin Caldwell.

Rudder (0-4, 0-2) wasted no time cashing in. Restevin Anderson scored on a 1-yard run, giving the Rangers their first lead of the season.

"There were some bright spots," Rudder head coach C.M. Pier said. "We've got to have more, but it is coming. I know it is a work-in-progress."

The lead didn't hold up long. Caldwell's Nelson Scott, who finished with 181 yards on only six carries, answered with a 29-yard touchdown run.

After another Caldwell score, Rudder's Will Johnson connected on a 36-yard field goal to make it 16-10, but Caldwell reeled off 50 unanswered points from there.

The Rangers added a late score on a 40-yard pass from Tre Hammond to Michael Jones that was set up by a 25-yard run by Joshua Johnson.

Rudder will host Rockdale next week, while Caldwell will travel to face state-ranked Navasota.

"This district we are in is a tough district, top to bottom," Pier said. "I'm not giving up on these kids."