Tigers bi-district matchup to be against No. 1 Columbus Friday in Cedar Creek
Friday night’s contest against the McGregor Bulldogs will be known as the game that got away from the Tigers. Big Blue was in control of this game until about the last two minutes and then, all of a sudden, what was a win became a loss.
The first quarter of this matchup was a stalemate. The score going into the second quarter was 0-0.
The Bulldogs scored first on a safety that was created on a Rockdale punt. This put the visiting team up 2-0. McGregor then gave insult to injury by scoring again on a 30-yard rushing touchdown. Their kick was good and the score was now Bulldogs 9, Tigers 0.
Sophomore Tiger wide receiver De’Andre Stephens then caught a 39-yard touchdown strike thrown by senior signal caller
Game stats on page 3B.
Blaydn Barcak. Senior kicker Daniel Rodriguez, who earned all of his pay on this Friday night, made the extra point and the score at the end of the first half was Bulldogs 9, Tigers 7.
As usual Rockdale came out swinging in the second half. Tiger kicker Daniel Rodriguez made a 41-yard field goal and the Tigers took the lead, 10-9.
The T ige r de fens e that has been a staple all year long held the Bulldogs scoreless in the third quarter. The Tigers offense offered some run support in this game and continued pressing. Junior running back Sawyer Chalk zipped into the end zone from two yards out, Rodriguez made the extra point and the Tigers continued adding to their lead, 17-9.
McGregor scored from five yards out in the beginning of the fourth quarter, they failed on a two-point conversion. The score was now Tigers 17, Bulldogs 15,.
Rockdale came right back and senior wide receiver Gerren Marrero-Carter caught a ball thrown by quarterback Barcak from seven yards out for a touchdown. Kicker Rodriguez continued his streak and made the extra point and the Tigers took a larger lead in the game, 24-15.
The Bulldogs obviously did not get the memo that this was to be victory night for the Tigers. McGregor scored from two yards out. The extra point was good, making the score an uneasy 24-22.
With not much time left on the clock, the Bulldogs recovered their onside kick attempt. They put themselves in a position to make a 40-yard field goal which was almost too hard to believe.
With only seconds left, the Tiger offense could not get to the end of the field and across the goal line to win the game. The final score was a shocking, unbelievable, heartbreaking McGregor 25, Rockdale 24.
Any momentum Rockdale could have going into a tough playoff game this Friday was stolen by what has been a constant all year long, the inability to start and finish games.
There have no doubt been good things about the Tiger squad this season but to win consistently, the Blue and Gold will have to learn to get off to a quicker start on offense, handle adversity better both on and off the field and develop a winner’s mentality. That’s not a criticism, we are in a firstyear program that is laying a good foundation.
We need to remember when we had painted on the side of the field house, “Home of Champions.” Our Tigers need to recapture this concept, Rockdale is a home to winners.
And listen, winning isn’t always about what the score is when the game ends. We have great kids, great coaches, great parents, wonderful grandparents and great traditions but we need great attitudes to produce the kind of teams we can be pleased with as a community regardless of the win column.
TOP PL AY ERS— Standouts in the game include kicker Daniel Rodriguez who made a 41-yard field goal and made a spectacular stop/tackle on a THIS
Spears had eight tackles. De’Andre Stephens and AJ Sandovoal were noted as having played at their typical kickoff that prevented a touchdown. Sawyer Chalk made nine tackles and had one interception. Riley high level.
WEEK— Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Hunter Hamrick said of this week’s playoff game, “Columbus is a very good team like others we have already played this year. They are a big physical football team. We will have to keep the clock going, we will need first downs to stay in this game and utilize our passing game.”
Rockdale is now 3-7 overall and 2-4 in district play and will play Texas Football magazine’s No. 1 ranked and undefeated Columbus Cardinals at Bastrop Memorial Stadium in Cedar Creek. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.
Make the trip and support these Tigers that have worked hard all year long.
Go Tigers!
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