In a lackluster performance, the Rockdale High School football team fell 21-17 to a veteran Trojan squad that was ready to take on the defending state champions.
Troy’s offense exploited the Tigers’ youth with the help of sophomore running back Zach Hrbacek and held possession of the ball for 36 of the 48 minutes of play.
“There were times we played on our heels and let them attack us instead of the other way around,” said Jeff Miller, Rockdale High School athletic director and head football coach. “When you play a running attack, you can’t get tired of being physical.”
The Tigers dropped to third place in District 10-3A DI behind first place Cameron and second place Troy during homecoming at Tiger Stadium.
Hrbacek was the main force behind that offense, with 276 yards on 36 carries, and all three of Troy’s touchdowns.
Play-by-play
The Tigers scored on the first play of the game, with Kesean Raven’s 73-yard run. Luis Iruegas made the point after touchdown (PAT) to put Rockdale ahead 7-0.
The Trojans answered four minutes later with a 52-yard drive down the field that ended in an eight-yard touchdown by Hrbacek. Kicker Josh McKissick tied the game 7-7.
On their next series, the Tigers turned the ball over after trying to run the ball for a first down and were stopped on the Trojan 41-yard line.
Troy drove the ball within one-yard of the goal line, but freshman Trevor Everadge made an interception in the end zone to get Rockdale the ball back.
This drive led a 25-yard touchdown run by Cam’Ron Valdez. Iruegas made the PAT to put the Tigers in front of the Trojans 14-7 before the end of the first quarter.
Two minutes into the second quarter, Troy tied the game at 14 with a 51-yard run by Hrabacek. Both teams were scoreless for the remainder of the half.
The Tigers failed to score on two different trips inside the 20-yard line, which led to two missed field goals.
“We have to get better in the red zone,” Miller said. “That’s the big thing. Troy is a good football team, and we weren’t surprised at all by how good they were. We just have to continue to play and to get better. It showed some weaknesses, and exposed some stuff that our team has to work on.”
The Trojans held position for the first four minutes of the third quarter, which ended in a three-yard touchdown by Hrbacek. Kicker McKissick made the PAT for a 21-14 score.
The Tigers forced a fumble in the fourth quarter, which led to a 41-yard field goal by Iruegas. Rockdale’s defense forced another fumble that ended in a missed field goal.
The Tigers were able to get the ball back again and drove it 57 yards down the field. With less than two minutes to play, the Trojans intercepted a Jace Robinson pass at the 23-yard line and sealed their victory.
Miller said the loss was an opportunity for his young team.
“They know how to handle losses well,” Miller said. “We know, we can’t pout about it because we have another big game coming up.
“We move on, and learn. There’s going to be some things this year that are going to be difficult,” Miller said. “Our goal is to be the best we can be when the playoffs come around. We still have some work to do.”
Scoring summary
First quarter
Rockdale-Kesean Raven 73 pass from Jace Robinson (Luis Iruegas kick). Troy-Zach Hrbacek 8 run (Josh McKissick kick). Rockdale-Cam”Ron Valdez 25 run (Iruegas kick).
Second quarter Troy-Hrbacek 49 run (McKissick kick).
Third quarter Troy-Hrbacek 4 run (McKissick kick).
Fourth quarter Rockdale- Iruegas FG.
RHS individual leaders Rushing: Valdez 19-92, 1 TD; Hernandez 4-27; Raven 1-9; Robinson 2-(-5). Passing: Robinson 11-26-1, 236 yards, 1 TD. Receiving: Raven 3-80, 1 TD; Valdez 2-70; Ross Loth 2-42; Hughes 3-40; Levi Baggerly 1-4. Tackles: Will Storey 13, Jackson Perry 12, Preston Debault 10, Josh Davenport 8, Cayden McBride 6, Wyatt Pounders 5, Trevor Everadge 4, Nathan Newlin 3, Qua Shawn Crawford 2, Kobe Mitchell 2, Levi Baggerly 2, Leo Millan 2, Tyler Caldwell 1. Sacks: Debault 1, McBride 1.
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