Bonham -- Aubrey sophomore running back Pablo Vera rushed for three touchdowns to lead the Chaparrals to a 41-23 win over the Bonham Warriors in the District 3-4A opener.

Aubrey went up 7-0 on a short run by Vera in the first minute of the game, but Bonham got on the board with a safety when Bonham's Garrett Osborn and Josh Easily sacked the Aubrey quarterback in the end zone.

Bonham's Evan Wilson, running behind an effect Warrior offensive line in the early going, gave Bonham great field position and Kyle Copeland cashed in by connecting with Trevor Hartwell on an 11-yard scoring strike. Tyler Bennett carried on the two-point conversion that put the Warriors on top, 10-7.

A gutsy onside kick paid off for the Warriors when Hartwell raced in to recover the loose ball. The drive stalled, but, on fourth down, Austin Simmerman faked a punt and ran for a first down at the Aubrey 27-yard line.

Wilson broke free for a 27-yard touchdown run and Bonham had a 17-7 advantage as the first quarter came to a close.

But Aubrey would go on to score 20 unanswered points in the second stanza to led, 27-17, at the half.

Vera raced 72 yards to pay dirt as Aubrey went up 34-17 early in the third period, however a long pass from Copeland to Corey Smallwood set up a 10-yard TD by Copeland on a keeper. Bonham trailed, 34-23, going into the fourth quarter.

Aubrey got the final score of the game when Taner Kemmerer went in from 16 yards out, giving Aubrey a 41-23 win.

Vera had 139 yards on only seven carries.

Wilson was Bonham's leading rusher with 62 yards.

Smallwood had seven catches for 98 yards.

photos by Allen Rich