For the first time since 2022, the Plainview Bears defeated the Sylvania Rams Friday night 34-7 in the 68th meeting between the DeKalb County rivals. Plainview traveled the six miles up Highway 75 to Sylvania Friday night, looking to stay unbeaten, but in a rivalry game, you never know what may happen. 

The Bears received the opening kickoff and immediately fumbled the ball, and Sylvania recovered it and was in business at the Plainview 37-yard line. After two penalties and a sack, the Rams were forced to punt the ball on a 4th and 18. 

With 8:52 to go in the first half, the Plainview offense took the field at its own 13-yard line. The Bears took a little over two minutes off the clock, going seven plays and 87 yards for the first score of the game. Plainview’s quarterback Owen Hope capped the drive with a 43 yard scamper into the end zone with 43-yard touchdown run. Plainview missed the extra point and took a 6-0 lead with 6:35 left in the quarter. 

Sylvania’s next drive ended after four plays when the Bears forced a fumble and recovered it at the 21-yard line. 

Plainview converted a fourth and goal from the one-yard line as Brody Hodges led over the goal line from one yard out to give the Bears a 13-0 lead after the PAT was made. 

After Sylvania looked to have a drive going, the Rams were called for two holding penalties that stalled the drive. Plainview forced a punt. 

With 11:29 to go in the first half, the Bears punted for the first time in the game. The two teams trade punts. Plainview returned the favor by forcing a punt, and after a Hope pass was completed to Sawyer Willborn for a 14-yard gain, the Rams forced a fumble and recovered on the fourth play of the drive. 

The Bears recovered a Sylvania fumble at the 50-yard line with 5:06 to go in the half. Plainview matched 13 plays for a Sawyer Wilborn touchdown on a reverse from 10 yards out. 

Plainview left only 1:03 on the clock until halftime. The Rams tried to make something happen right before halftime, but were forced to punt yet again as time ran out in the first half. Plainview led at halftime 20-0. 

The Rams received the kickoff and went 3-and-out yet again. With 9:19 left in the third quarter, the Bears marched right down the field for another Hope touchdown, this time from six yards out. The drive went 50 yards in 9 plays for 4:19. The score gave the Bears a 27-0 lead with five minutes left in the third quarter. 

Sylvania finally found the end zone with 11:04 left in the game when Sammy Anderson scored on a 16-yard run, and after the extra point, the Plainview lead was 27-7. 

The final score of the game came with 5:11 to go in the fourth when Plainview Hodges scored for the second time from a yard out. 

Owen Hope finished with 12 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Hope also passed for 13-17 for 139 yards. 

Brody Hodges finished with 12 carries, 29 yards, and two touchdowns. 

Sawyer Wilborn had 4 catches for 50 yards and a rushing touchdown. 

Kristopher Sandlin had 5 catches for 37 yards. 

Plainview improves to 5-0 on the season as Sylvania falls to 1-5. 

Plainview will travel to Gurley to take on Madison County next week as Sylvania plays host to the Fyffe Red Devils.Â