McGREGOR—The Rockdale Tigers that started out with three wins out of their first four games have disappeared. Rockdale has dropped their last three games and the season is getting close to being over.
After this Friday’s game against rival C.H. Yoe, the Tigers will only have two more games left. Missing the playoffs could be a reality for the Blue & Gold. Yikes!
The Tigers traveled to McGregor last Friday night and were ahead at the half 28-21.
I’m not sure if McGregor got Red Bull transfusions during halftime but their game got wings and the Bulldogs shut us out in the second half and won the game 49-28.
Let’s unpack what happened.
Tiger running back Radyn Hamilton scored first by pushing into the end zone from two yards out. Kicker Fernando Pacheco, who has only missed once this year, was good for the extra point and Rockdale went ahead 7-0.
RB Jeramiah Butler then put up points as he ran the ball across the goal line from 10 yards out. Pacheco was good again (four for four on the night) and the score was Tigers 14, Bulldogs 7.
I think at this point the defense was done for the night, letting McGregor score two more times before the first quarter was over. Going into the second quarter it was McGregor 21, Rockdale 14.
Tiger wide receiver De’Andre Stephens, who has faced double coverage a lot of the year, finally got some wiggle room and scored on a 14-yard pass from quarterback Greyson Williams. Pacheco’s kick was good and the Tigers were tied 21-21.
Reaghan Jackson would then score Rockdale’s last touchdown for the night on a 61-yard fumble return. Pacheco would kick, making it a 28-21 game at the half.
Old-timers know that former Dallas Cowboy quarterback Don Meredith would sing on Monday Night Football, “Turn out the lights the party’s over.” You could almost hear that playing over the PA system as this game was all over except for the bus ride home.
The Tiger defense would let McGregor score four more times before they were allowed to dress and load up on that bus. I’m sure it was a long ride home.
Again, the final score after McGregor put up 28 unanswered points in the second half was McGregor 49, Rockdale 28.
It was a rough night for Big Blue. There was a fight just before the game ended that got two Tigers ejected and we looked anything but Tiger Proud. I don’t think any coach gets into education to break up fights.
These are hard days in Tiger Land and you have to appreciate what our coaches are doing, building culture is not easy. We obviously have some frustrated and passionate players but they need to make sure that energy is used in the right way.
Last time I checked, football was a team sport. This Friday is a big one, let’s go!
STANDOUTS— Key Tiger plays and players in the game were:
• Reaghan Jackson, 61-yard fumble return.
• Fernando Pacheco, four for four on extra point kicks.
• De’Andre Stephens, 14-yard TD pass from Greyson Williams.
• Brody Willard, 16 tackles.
• Wilmer Sorto, nine tackles.
• Luis Lepe, one sack.
INJURIES— The Tigers do have some injury concerns—QB Williams, back; Stephens, toe; and Za-Kobe Anderson is out.
THIS WEEK— Friday night Cameron will come to town to play in the Battle o f t he Bell. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers are 0-2 in district.
The Yoe are 1-1 in district after losing to Troy 35-17.
The Tigers are currently in possession of the Bell after last season’s 47-21 win.
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