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Judge Memorial football coach James Cordova readily admitted that he is not sure what a statement game is after his top-ranked Bulldogs destroyed previously unbeaten Union 41-14 on a beautiful Homecoming evening Friday.

But this certainly looked like the kind of contest that warned other 3A schools that Judge is again the team to beat this season.

With power runner Max Barnett and speedster Michael Kearns churning up yardage and a fired-up defense forcing turnovers early in the game, Judge simply dominated the visitors from Roosevelt who came in with a 4-0 record and one of their best starts in recent years.

"We went out and fired out from the first play," said Barnett, who scored on runs of 5, 1 and 43 yards. "This was our best game all season. We finally had a full healthy team. … It is good to have everybody back playing full speed."

Kearns — a speedy running back who set up Barnett's second score with a 70-yard run and added a 51-yard touchdown — called the win important, saying the Bulldogs knew how badly Union wanted to come in and win.

Judge stopped an early Union drive on an interception by Christian Ellis. Another interception by Nathan Higley right before the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie set up Barnett's first touchdown run. Sport Falemaka scored from 3 yards out, Tim Hemmersmeier nailed a 36-yard field goal and Barnett scored on his short run and it was 24-0 before Union got on the board on a 64-yard pass from Zach Roll to Everet Miller.

But Judge was too big, too strong and too talented and was never seriously threatened as the Bulldogs put together perhaps their most impressive performance since beating 3AA power Pine View in the opening game.

"I honestly don't know what a statement game is," said Cordova. "We executed well. They are a good football team, but they made mistakes and we capitalized on them."

Judge, which captured the 3A title a year ago, looks like a team on a mission.

The season is a long way from being over, but it is going to take a near perfect effort for another 3A team to keep the Bulldogs from a repeat. —

Storylines

O Judge's Max Barnett scores three touchdowns and fellow running back Michael Kearns adds another.

• The defending 3A champions end Union's unbeaten streak at four.

• Two first quarter interceptions help the Bulldogs to the win.