What happened: The Midland High Bulldogs picked up their fourth straight win Friday night, beating the Odessa High Bronchos 47-13 at Ratliff Stadium in the District 2-6A opener. Midland wasted little time scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 21-0 lead.

Quarterback Holt Howard started the scoring with a 64-yard touchdown run, then added an 18-yard rushing score. Evan Taylor followed with an 8-yard touchdown before Howard threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter, putting the Bulldogs ahead 42-0 at halftime.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Rylan Marino added a field goal early in the fourth, and Odessa scored two late touchdowns.

The big picture: Howard led the Bulldogs with five touchdowns running for two and throwing three to Devin Rodriquez, Elijah Ramos, and Walker Campbell. Rodriquez’s 60-yard touchdown catch helped Midland pull away in the second quarter, while Ramos and Campbell added scores before halftime.

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Midland’s defense kept giving its offense chances, forcing five turnovers. MJ Washington and Cade Rylander each intercepted two passes, and Rylander also recovered a fumble. Those takeaways gave the Bulldogs short fields which the Bulldogs cashed in with scores.

The Bronchos struggled to get anything going in the first half and did not reach the end zone until the fourth quarter. Joe Ortega scored on a 3-yard run and Sebastian Ortega caught a 23-yard touchdown pass.

What’s next: Midland improves to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in district play. The Bulldogs have an open week before hosting Permian on October 23 when they will look to keep their winning streak going.

Odessa will look to regroup after its fifth straight loss and will have another tough task ahead facing the 7-0 Permian Panthers in a cross town rivalry game next Friday.