The Rockwall Rowlett Nail Biter
When the teams took the field Friday night under the lights of the newly renovated Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium in Rockwall, none of the fans suspected that they would be in for one of those “hanging off the edge of your seat” finishes. As routinely as most high school football games begin, both teams established the run early and supplemented things offensively with key receptions on third and long. Both Rowlett and Rockwall looked very polished at the onset of the game on offense and on defense. At the end of the first half, Rockwall had secured a 17 to 14 lead over Rowlett despite a late 2nd quarter scoring drive by the Eagles that ate up the last three minutes of the half. Rowlett carried over their late 2nd quarter momentum with a Joseph Powell TD reception on their first possession from the line of scrimmage. With a volley of scoring exchanges throughout the game, the excitement began to mount. Entering the fourth quarter, Rockwall led by a three-point margin but saw their 24-21 lead slip away on Treyvon Green TD scamper with 9:45 left in the fourth quarter. Rockwall was then stopped on their ensuing drive by a Rowlett defense that had been ignited all night long by the play of defensive lineman, Damontre’ Moore (A&M commit). Rowlett once again regained control on offense and began to methodically eat up the clock. The most pivotal swing in the game; however, started with a 4th down stop by the Yellowjacket defense with 4:05 remaining in the game. Starting from their own 39, Rockwall took the field under the cool composure of senior QB, Adam Dingwell (San Diego State commit) who was fantastic throughout the night throwing for a total of 291 yards with 21 completions on 31 attempts with 1 TD. With pressure building, Rockwall called on the “automatic” Will Beasley. On second and seven, Beasley broke free on a seam rout from the slot position and despite a desperate attempt by the Rowlett defender to contain him, pulled in a 35 yard one handed grab with the defender hanging off of his body. This was the “Play of the Game!” Rockwall then continued their drive down the field coming up with a huge 2nd down conversion run by Dingwell and yet again, another defensive pass interference call on Beasley who couldn’t seem to be stopped (10 receptions for 154 yards). Then it was running back, Josh Broach’s turn to cap off the drive with a 5 yard TD. Broach, who rushed for 101 yards on 25 attempts was one of the key components to Rockwall’s offensive success as he took the pressure off of the passing attack and kept Rowlett’s defense on their heals all night. Rowlett regained possession for a last stand but seemed deflated as they gave up a sack that placed them at 3rd and 20 with 1:20 remaining in the game. The following Blake Taylor 3rd down pass fluttered through the air and was picked off by Rockwall’s, Spencer Edwards, which sealed the game and a 31-28 Yellowjacket victory.
Gray will be a Longhorn!
