The Mexico Bulldogs won their 14th consecutive Highway 54 Bowl in a shoot-out Friday night, 63-42, over the Fulton Hornets.

It was the 135th Highway 54 Bowl.

With the win Mexico leads the all-time series over Fulton that started in 1920, 66-62 with 6 ties

Things didn’t bode well for the Bulldogs to open the game. After a 35-yard kickoff return from Drew DeMint, MHS started at midfield, only to fumble on the first play off the game.

Fulton capitalized by going 6-plays and 49 yards for a touchdown as Sam Pittman scored on a 17-yard run.

The  Mexico offense answered right back, as the Dawgs drove 65-yards in just 6-plays and scored with a 13-yard run from sophomore fullback Marshall Ball. The game was tied at 7.

Fulton had their most sustained drive of the night as they drove 80-yards in 10-plays taking four minutes off the clock. They retook the lead with a 28-yard scamper from Pittman.

Mexico struck quickly, going 73 yards in just four plays as Charlie Fisher scored from 39-yards out.

Fulton took possession for the third time early in the second quarter and went 6-plays and 65-yards to score on a 14-yard Jaden Galbreath touchdown run. Fulton 21-14.

Mexico answered back. Again just four plays, 73-yards, as Conner Fisher scored from 39-yards out. Tied at 21-all.

Fulton started their next drive with a penalty and that was all the Mexico defense needed as the Hornets got 10 yards on a 4th and 11 fake punt.

The Bulldogs took over on downs. It took just three plays to go the 36-yards as sophomore fullback Marshall Ball scored from 10-yards out. MHS took its first lead, 28-21.

Fulton tried to match the Mexico offense but another penalty, holding, set them back for the second straight drive as they had to punt after six plays.

Mexico had less than two minutes to go 64-yards. No problem. A couple of DeMint runs and Fisher passes had the Bulldogs deep in Hornet territory with little time on the clock. But, they scored when MHS Head Coach Steve Haag gambled on 1st and Goal from the 5 with just :03 left. Instead of taking the field goal and going up 10, he let his offensive line do the work as they paved the way for another DeMint scamper off the right end for a touchdown and solid 35-21 halftime lead as time expired.

Fulton got the second half kickoff and took little time in announcing they weren’t going away anytime soon. Pittman went 69-yards down the sideline for a score to close the gap to 35-28.

Mexico hollered back. Quickly. Quarterback Charlie Fisher went 58-yards off the right side to cap a 2-play drive and give the Bulldogs a two-score lead, 42-28.

The Hornets stung back with an 11-play, 50-yard drive that culminated on a 1-yard dive on 4th and goal at the 6-inch line. Galbreath punched it in to close the score to 42-35.

Kickoff was a touchback and on the very next play Fisher went 80-yards to put the Bulldogs back up by two touchdowns. MHS 49, FHS 35.

Fulton went three and out and oddly punted on their next possession, and Mexico took over at the 20. Deja Vu. The first play from scrimmage DeMint went 80-yards to put the Bulldogs up by three touchdowns, and deflate any hopes the Hornets had of winning. Dawgs 56-35.

Fulton went three and out and oddly punted on their next possession, and Mexico took over at the

Mexico got the ball back again and a 4-play drive wrapped up with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Fischer to Matthews in the end zone.

Final Score. Mexico 63. Fulton 42.

Mexico raised their record to 4-2 with the win. Fulton fell to 1-5.

Up next, Mexico goes on the road to play an improving  Kirksville ballclub on Friday, October 10, 2025.