The Tigers watched their win streak and district title chance come to a heartbreaking halt as they were defeated by the Lorena Leopards 49-42. The Tigers end their regular season with a 6-4 overall record and a 4-2 record in district play.
“It was a really good football game with two competitive teams, and we knew it was going to be a battle,” RHS Head Coach Jacob Campsey said.
“I felt like we let them off the hook at different points of the game. We certainly didn’t play our best football.”
In the first quarter, the game confirmed itself to be an offensive battle. The Leopards landed on the scoreboard first with quarterback Ben Smedshammer running for a fouryard touchdown. The Tigers responded on the subsequent kickoff as Cedric Mitchell raced down the field for a 75-yard kick return touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good. Later in the quarter, Smedshammer utilized his speed again to run for a 22-yard touchdown. The Rockdale offense would not go away as Kesean Raven snagged a 69-yard strike from Kobe Mitchell for a touchdown. Lorena continued to execute their run game as Jadon Porter punched in another touchdown on a 10-yard run. Lorena led the game 21-13 after one quarter.
In the second quarter, the Leopard’s run success extended as Rhett Hanson found the end zone on a 10-yard run. The Tigers responded as Kobe Mitchell threw a six-yard pass to Cedric Mitchell for a touchdown. The Leopards led 28-20 at the half.
In the third quarter, Smedshammer scored his third touchdown of the day on a one-yard run. The Leopard running game struck again in the quarter with Cayden Madkins scoring on a 22-yard run to push the lead to 22 points. Rockdale responded as Anthony Dansby snagged a seven-yard touchdown pass from Kobe Mitchell. Hagan Land caught the pass from Kobe Mitchell for the twopoint conversion. Lorena led the contest 42-28 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Rockdale would attempt their comeback. Kobe Mitchell threw a 42-yard pass to Dansby for a touchdown. Lorena answered as Smedshammer launched a 60-yard pass to Porter. This extended the Leopards’ lead to 14 points. The last touchdown of the evening came from Kobe Mitchell as he burned the Leopard defense on a 60-yard run. On the last drive of the game, the Tigers got the ball with 30 seconds left. Rockdale was unable to capitalize as the clock hit all zeros, sealing the win for Lorena.
Kobe Mitchell went 7 of 18 for 213 passing yards and four touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 107 yards and a touchdown. His play earned him a nomination for the All-Brazos Valley Player of the Week. Dansby led the team in receiving with four catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, linebacker Cade Pantaleon led the Tigers with 16 tackles. Defensive Lineman Ty Mayberry also had a great showing with 14 tackles, two tackles for a loss and one sack.
With it being the Tigers’ senior night, Campsey praised his senior players for all they have done for the Tiger program.
“These seniors has accomplished a lot,” Campsey said. “They brought the bell back to Rockdale and beat Troy for first time in their career. I’m so thankful for them and what they have done for our program.”
The road to the state championship will begin on Friday as the Tigers face the Columbus Cardinals in the Class 3A Division I Bi-District round at Buddy Moorhead Stadium in Conroe.
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