The Hereford Whitefaces improved to 2-0 on the season with a 30-20 road victory over the Friona Chieftains Friday night.

Hereford used a balanced offensive attack and another strong defensive performance to build an early lead and hold off Friona in the second half.

The Herd finished with 351 yards of total offense, including 177 through the air and 174 on the ground.

Quarterback Bennett Bell completed 11 of 14 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown while adding a team-high 90 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Brix Machen was Bell’s top target, hauling in six passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Machen’s 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter gave Hereford a 20-13 advantage heading into halftime.

Jaxon Lucio added two receptions for 65 yards, including a 46-yard catch, while Jonathan Tarango finished with two catches for 30 yards. A. Banda added one reception for 25 yards.

Hereford also found success on the ground. A. Avina carried the ball 13 times for 43 yards and two touchdowns, while Zach Galvan added 41 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

The Herd led 7-0 after the opening score before Friona answered to tie the game. Hereford regained the lead in the second quarter, and the teams traded touchdowns before Bell connected with Machen to send the Whitefaces into halftime with a 20-13 advantage.

Hereford extended the lead to 27-13 in the third quarter. Friona pulled within seven early in the fourth, but the Whitefaces answered with a 31-yard field goal to secure the 30-20 victory.

Defensively, Hereford held Friona to just 53 passing yards and forced multiple mistakes through the air.

Machen recorded two interceptions for the Herd. Q. Shugart helped lead the defense with three solo tackles, 13 assists and a tackle for loss. Lucio Sifuentes added three tackles, six assists and a tackle for loss.

Hereford’s defense limited Friona to 234 total yards, while the Whitefaces finished the night with a 117-yard advantage in total offense.

P. Garcia connected on all three of his extra-point attempts and added the 31-yard fourth-quarter field goal.

With the victory, Hereford moves to 2-0 on the season.