Tigers finalize 2010 football schedule

Tyler Wright will be in command at quarterback when the 2010 Tigers take the field for their new district realignment schedule which includes games with state powers Liberty Hill and Giddings. Reporter/ Ken Esten Cooke Home is where the wins are and according to their new 2010 schedule, the Rockdale Tigers plan to take full advantage of that mantra with six home games.

Of course the bad news is that in 2011, they will play in Tiger Stadium just four times.

The reason for the lopsided balance between home and away games comes after Austin Eastside Memorial needed an additional road game, so Rockdale switched out in the season opener Aug. 27.

The Tigers longest road trip will be to Madisonville (85 miles), which has been in Rockdale’s district the past four years.

The three remaining road trips include Cameron (Sept.10), Smithville (Oct. 15) and Giddings (Oct. 29).

The Tigers’ open date is Oct. 1, which is the week before district play opens, which is what RISD Athletic Director Jeff Miller was angling for.

“That is much better than the situation we have had in the past,” Miller said.

In the past two seasons, the Tigers had their off week in the second-to-last week of the season and because old District 24-3A had a bye in the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers would play just once in over three weeks.

The Battle Of The Bell with continue with Cameron and in sequence, with Rockdale travelling to Cameron this year.

And, for the first time since 1953, Rockdale and Taylor will not continue their rivalry as the Ducks declined an offer to play for the 80th time.

Following the bell battle, the Tigers will host Liberty Hill Sept. 17.

While occupy ing the same district four years ago, Liberty Hill captured back-to-back state championships (2006-07), but skidded to 4-5 last season.

Sandwiched in there in the second week of the season is a contest with brand new Class 3A school Salado, which at one time was thought to be a possible Tiger district foe.

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When the Tigers travel to Madisonville in 2010, it will mark the second year in a row they face the Mustangs at their place.

“ That cou ld n’t be helped, because we both needed that game to be where it is,” Miller 204524A01

said.

Rockdale hosts Navasota in the District 18-3A opener.

“I like having Navasota as the first game in district at home,” Miller said. “I like the way the whole district schedule worked