The homecoming game was truly a game of two halves as Abilene Wylie jumped out to a 39-0 halftime lead over the Modocs and had to hang on in the final quarter as a furious La Vega rally came up short, 46-29.

The 3-0 Bulldogs showed why they were ranked number five in the state for 3A, scoring on their first possession from 48 yards out then trapping Devonte Jones on the ensuing kickoff for a safety and recovering a botched Pirate punt for a quick 22-0 first-quarter lead.

Things weren't much better in the second quarter for Modoc fans as Wylie scored two more touchdowns and added a field goal with just over a minute before halftime.

On the field during the usual halftime festivities, the homecoming court was announced and introduced to the crowd with the much-anticipated crowning going to Sykouya McGowan as queen over Stevie Cline, Isela Galvan, Michelle Kiss, Rebecca Nesbitt, and Shapae Redrick, and Garrett Nunley as king over Eddy Gonzalez, Jeremy Jackson, Darius Kelley, Michael Kerley, and Peter Zuniga.

La Vega was a different team after the break with regular quarterback Devin McGowan coming off the bench after a foot injury after Lamar Williams intercepted a Bulldog pass with Arron Brandon gaining most of the yardage and McGowan sneaking in for the first Pirate score, followed by a TD by Jones and two by Tevin Thompson. Brandon added a two-point conversion, but Abilene Wylie added an insurance score late in the game to ice the win.

Brandon ended the game with 171 yards and Thompson 127 to go with his two scores.

LV travels to Crockett Sept. 25 for its late pre-district matchup before a bye week and the 19-3A opener at district favorite Mexia at 7:30 p.m.