THORNDALE — For the opening night of the 2025 high school football season, there was no better stage than a rivalry game. Thorndale hosted Thrall on Friday night in the annual “Battle of 79,” newly dubbed the Bubba Bowl by longtime Bulldogs supporter Bubba Grimm. The Bulldogs avenged last year’s 50-29 loss, defeating the Tigers 31-3 in front of a packed crowd.
Thorndale (1-0) struck first late in the opening quarter when quarterback Case McDaniel connected with Kale Meadors for a 23-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs extended their lead with a 54-yard scoring strike to receiver Will Cloud to make it 12-0 after the first quarter.
In the second, Thorndale leaned on its ground game. Running back Cole Harkins capped an eight-play drive with a 26-yard touchdown run. With kicker Kaden Kuhl adding the extra point, the Bulldogs pushed the lead to 19-0.
Cloud struck again before halftime, hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from McDaniel with one second remaining to give Thorndale a 25-0 lead at the break.
The Bulldogs’ defense took control in the second half, holding Thrall (0-1) to just a fourthquarter field goal. Meadors sealed the game late in the fourth with a pick-six, returning an interception for a touchdown to close out the scoring.
Thorndale finished with 55 penalty yards, while Thrall was flagged for 60. Despite the miscues, the Bulldogs’ playmakers made the difference when it mattered most.
Thorndale improves to 1-0 and claims bragging rights along Highway 79 until next season.
Thrall will return to action on Friday, Sept. 5 on the road versus Rosebud-Lott at 7:30 p.m.
