FRANKLIN—The Tigers have some play makers. Maybe all 34 young men on the current roster qualify. They showed up and really showed off against Texas Football magazine’s No. 1-ranked team in the state, the two-time defending state champion Franklin Lions last Friday.
It’s tough to brag about losing but if you are going to lose, lose against the best and lose after you put up a great fight. Unless you bleed blue and gold you did not give these Tigers a chance in this road game but these coaches and players I hope have made you think differently. They showed everyone they can play and compete in one of the state’s toughest districts.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Hunter Hamrick said, “The takeaway from this game is this team has heart, there is no quit in them. We made some plays against Franklin. We did what we set out to do which was take their passing game away from them. They had one big play that really hurt us, but that was it.”
Now for the nuts and bolts of this game that was well played and well coached. The Tigers had an impressive game plan and this was an exciting game to watch.
Franklin won the toss but deferred and the Tiger offense went to work. The second play of the game was a reverse pass that ignited both the crowd and the sideline. The Tigers came away with only a 23-yard field goal by senior kicker Daniel Rodriguez but you could feel the energy and the sense this was going to be the best game we have seen the Tigers play all year. Rockdale took the lead 3-0.
The Lions matched the Tigers in the first quarter with their own field goal and they tied the score 3-3.
Franklin scored twice in the second quarter, once in the third. These three touchdowns, the extra point kicks and a two-point conversion made the score Franklin 25, Rockdale 3.
The well went dry for the Tigers in the third quarter, but they scored twice in the fourth. Senior quarterback Blaydn Barcak connected with junior running back Sawyer Chalk for a 96-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion failed, making the ball game, Lions 25, Tigers 9.
Then Tiger quarterback Barcak did what he does best and ran 24 yards into the end zone for a Tiger touchdown. Again, the two-point conversion failed. The final score was Franklin 25, Rockdale 15.
TANDOUTS—Stand out players in this battle were a scrambling quarterback Barcak who had over 300 yards of passing with one touchdown, 42 yards of rushing and a touchdown. Running back Chalk had 96 yards receiving and one touchdown. Receivers Marrero- Carter had 76 yards of receiving, and Eric Sheppard had 71 yards. All gas and no brakes Kemar Spencer had 10 tackles, and Isaiah Sauls had eight tackles.
“If you are part of the defensive line you did good. Guys like Mason Willard, Chad David and Mason Meschwitz all had good games,” Coach Hamrick said.
Be on the lookout for senior two-way starter Riley Spears to be used more on offense; he is an “untapped resource” for the Tigers.
COMING UP— Next up for the Tigers is a true homecoming game this Friday against the Troy Trojans. The Tigers go into this game 1-4 and 0-1 in district play. The Trojans are 4-2 overall and 1-1 in district. The kick off at Tiger Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. Come out and cheer the Tigers on to victory.
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