It was too little, too late for Mexico on Friday night.

The Bulldogs reignited history at Bowling Green on Friday and lost 35-24 after trailing 27-12 at halftime. Mexico (3-5) ran 243 yards and had 355 offensive yards to outgain Bowling Green’s 269 offensive yards but lost its fourth straight game.

Mexico hadn’t played Bowling Green (6-2) except in a 2009 playoff loss. Head coach Steve Haag said the defense was “out of sorts” in the first half before adjusting better in the second half.

“The kids didn’t seem to recognize the formations they were giving us,” Haag said. “We weren’t really balanced up to them, but once we balanced up, we put a little more pressure and they had to work harder for their yardage.”

Haag said Bowling Green “ran way more formations than any team we had seen.” He said that was a worry because that makes it hard for opponents to line up.

“If you can’t, that’s the reason they run a lot of formations: To get you out of sorts,” Haag said.

Bowling Green’s winning streak was extended to three games, but its streak of 40-point games was snapped at five. The Bobcats were averaging 49 points per game going in, which is the same level as their four straight district championships from 2021-24.

Haag said Mexico did well on offense, other than a fumble coming out of halftime. The Bulldogs averaged 5.5 yards per carry. D'Naz Smith led with 78 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown, Marshall Ball had 73 rushing yards on 11 carries, Kyler Benne ran for two touchdowns, and James Matthews ran for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Benne threw for over 100 yards on 5-for-16 passing. Matthews had four catches for 80 yards, and Haag said he turned a 10-yard gain into a 67-yard gain.

“All of those things always help,” Haag said. “There were a couple that we should have caught. James was more open two more times, and we missed him. If we had one of those, that gets you within a touchdown.”

Haag said too little was done early against Bowling Green, and that can’t be done against district foe and Class 4 No. 6 Moberly (7-1), who the Bulldogs know well from past conference play.

“They play pretty consistent football,” Haag said. “At times, we don’t. If you’re not consistent and they are, that can sometimes spell disaster. We have to make sure we’re lined up right, doing things right and taking care of the ball.”