The win against Keytesville was the first win for Paris football on this winning streak that has seen a 50-point game each time for the Coyotes.

In the rematch between the two schools in the 8-man Class 1 District 8 tournament game on Friday in Paris, the Coyotes beat Keytesville with Northwestern (Mendon), Brunswick 54-6 but had a better start with a 34-6 lead after the first quarter. Paris (7-2) recovered five fumbles and added two interceptions.

Head coach Cody Carney said Paris led 16-0 at halftime in the first game against Keytesville (1-9) after letting things like penalties slow the offense down. Kristian Harvey recovered a fumble in the first quarter to score in the first quarter, and Carney said the defense had key early turnovers like a fumble recovery by Kaden Graupman and interceptions by Case Morgan and Logan Mitchell.

“We were able to capitalize on offense and get some scores early,” Carney said. “Our defensive line gets us started and has a lot of success getting penetration up front and getting a good rush on the quarterback on pass plays.”

Carney said Gabe Rowe and Landon Kendrick do well on the interior line, and defensive ends Graupman and Bryce Wade do well setting the edge and creating turnovers. He said Wade has three or four batted passes in the past two games.

The other levels of the defense take it from there and have defended the pass well, Carney said, adding Paris has five or six interceptions in the past two weeks. Case Morgan has two interceptions the past two weeks.

“Everybody is doing their job,” Carney said. “They have done a good job of defense and take a lot of pride in it.”

Mitchell had 121 receiving yards and three touchdowns along with a rushing touchdown after posting a 100-yard game in the first meeting with Keytesville. Spencer Minks threw for 183 yards on 7-for-8 passing and had four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns after missing last week with an injury.

“We were able to take care of the football and not have as many penalties,” Carney said. “I was much happier how we played offensively.”

The closest loss for Paris this season was 30-28 at home against Knox County (7-2). Because of that result, the No. 3 seed Paris plays at No. 2 Knox County at 7 p.m. Friday, and Carney said it needs to be focused in practice throughout the week.

“You’re more keen on what the other team is wanting to do and trying to stop that,” Carney said. “We’ve been talking about the last few weeks of going into the playoffs at getting better at the fundamentals and sharpening things up.”