Mexico wasn’t able to match its fellow state-ranked No. 7 team on Friday.

The Bulldogs went into their road opener as the seventh-ranked team in Class 4 (dropped out of top 10 this week) but lost 21-0 at Class 3 No. 7 Southern Boone (tied for fourth this week). Mexico’s defense held the Eagles back, including with two interceptions, but the offense couldn’t muster a scoring drive.

Head coach Steve Haag said Mexico (1-1) had to shift players around due to injury, going in without Drew DeMint and then losing Hunter Cuno (dislocated elbow) and Greyden Sewell (back) to injuries before halftime. He said Southern Boone did what it needed to further disrupt Mexico.

“We didn’t do well moving the football,” Haag said. “Their defensive line did a good job controlling the line of scrimmage. We had some things start working late, but we’d get a big gain and then we’d fumble. We started shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Cuno ran for 34 yards on five carries before having to leave the game in the first quarter. Peyton Hoover followed with 30 yards on eight carries.

The defense did well but was asked to do a lot. Hoover and Korbyn Dorsey each led with nine tackles, Kaden Benne and Tyson Carr each followed with eight tackles, and Charlie Fisher accounted for both Mexico interceptions. Haag said the offense has to support the defense and vice versa, but on this specific night, Southern Boone (2-0), was winning the field position battle.

“On their second touchdown, it was an interception that was in our territory so it was a short field for our defense,” Haag said. “At the end, they scored and our defense wore down. We’re not that deep at certain positions.”

Haag complimented the game plan devised by assistant coaches Travis Simmons and Kevin Krietemeyer. Quarterback Mason Shearer ran in for one- and three-yard touchdowns among his 67 yards on the ground but mainly doesn’t throw that much and that far, Haag said.

Haag said Southern Boone wants to run the ball and might have only had a pass that went for 15-20 yards as its longest pass. Most of the throws are quick and short.

“We wanted them to throw it,” Haag said. “We didn’t think he was a good thrower so we wanted to force their hand in throwing the football.”

Mexico plays at Odessa (1-1), who won 37-7 at Clinton last week, at 7 p.m. Friday.