MARSHALL, Texas – Securing their third straight winning season in a row with a victory over Sul Ross State University, the East Texas Baptist University football team returns back home to Ornelas Stadium for their final home game of the 2017 season against McMurry University on Saturday. If ETBU wins, it will be the third year that they have won seven games in one season. 
 
ETBU was able to pick up a little revenge against Sul Ross State with a 42-28 win in Alpine. Brian Baca led the way with a 22-of-41 performance throwing for 369 yards and five touchdowns. Richard Johnson also added 130 yards receiving to his credit and two touchdowns to tie the single season record for receiving touchdowns he set last year. Defensively, Ty Parsons (15), Caleb Taylor (12), and Zack Biles (10) combined to have 37 total tackles while Ben Ashton intercepted two passes. Parsons broke the single season record for tackles at 123 surpassing Greg Washington's record of 122 set in 2003.
 
For head coach Scott Highsmith, the win not only guaranteed a third straight winning season, but it was also joyous for his team seeking to continue to build off the momentum. 
 
"It was a huge, huge win for us," said Coach Highsmith. "They're a good football team. They had good athletes that can run. They were playing at home and they were well-coached. It was just a big, big win for us. It's always an obstacle to go to that part of the country and play, especially at night because you're facing a long trip home at night in the wee hours of the morning. Our kids handled it as best they could and I'm proud of them."
 
ETBU looks to win their seventh game of the season for the third year in a row when they host McMurry this weekend. Last season, ETBU continued their undefeated start at 5-0 with a 67-31 win in Abilene. The War Hawks enter the contest with a 2-6 record overall and 2-5 conference record following a shutout loss of 62-0 to #1 Mary Hardin-Baylor.
 
Overall, the War Hawks are averaging 18.63 points per game while surrendering 37.13. Quarterback Kevin Hurley Jr. has led McM with 1132 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes. He's also second on the team in rushing yards with 288 yards behind Wade Barthelemy Jr., who has 348 yards. Eriel Dorsey has been the top target for the wide receiving core with 36 receptions for 402 yards while Justin Eaton has caught 14 passes for a team-leading 416 yards. Defensively, Josh Smith leads the team in tackles with 64. Michael Green Jr. has a team-best 4.5 sacks while Jordan Washington to this point picked off three passes this season.
 
For ETBU, it's a double-decker scenario as they will also honor 18 seniors this Saturday while playing a McMurry team looking to make a statement. But Coach Highsmith understands the motivation behind Saturday's game. "Number one, we're honoring our seniors," says Coach Highsmith. The senior class has been a part of this winning culture change more than anybody in the history of this school. We want to honor them. We want to play well just for the sake of playing well. It's a chance to win another conference game and boost our record. We always want to look good at home, especially at a game of this magnitude. We're actually trying to honor our brothers that we're in the program of 'live as one' for. We want to play our very best."
 
Kickoff starts at 2:00 PM this Saturday.