BALLINGER — It had been a while since the Bangs Dragons  had played for a district championship. So long ago, in fact, that most of their current players were in elementary school at the time.

It showed on Friday when the Dragons were outexecuted down the stretch in a 25-13 loss to Ballinger before an electric crowd at Bearcat Stadium. 

Garrett Dixon rushed for 130 yards and two scores to lift Ballinger (9-1, 4-0), which can lock up a district title with a win at Sonora next week. 

Bangs (7-1, 3-1) was led by Ethan Sanchez, who charted 160 yards rushing, including a 96-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 in the second quarter.