Anderson leads Rockets past Hernando in opener with 32-16 victory

Anderson leads Rockets past Hernando in opener with 32-16 victory

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Senior quarterback Eli Anderson completed 18-of-22 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns to lead Neshoba Central to a 38-6 season-opening victory over Hernando Friday night at Rocket Field.

The Rockets, now 1-0, will play at West Lauderdale this Friday night. The Knights opened the season with a 32-16 win over Newton County.

The Rockets finished with 448 total yards while holding Hernando to 228 total yards – 35 rushing and 193 passing.

Neshoba Central kicked off and the teams exchanged possessions. The Rockets stopped Hernando on fourth down on their second possession and took over on their 27-yard line.

Neshoba Central then put together a 14-play, 73-yard scoring drive. On fourth down, Hunter Bavetta kicked a 27-yard field goal and Neshoba Central led 3-0 with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Rockets defense held Hernando to four downs and the Neshoba Central then put together a 12-play, 59-yard scoring draw. Running back Zander Kirkland scored on a 14-yard run. Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 10-0 with 6:14 left in the second quarter.

Again, the Tigers ran out of downs. On first down, quarterback Eli Anderson connected with Ja’Naylon Dupree on a 59-yard TD pass play. Bavetta booted the extra point and the Rockets led 17-0 with 3:59 left in the second quarter.

Later in the second quarter, linebacker Kelbee Holmes intercepted a Hernando pass to give his team ball on the Tigers 30-yard line. On first down, Anderson connected with Dupree on a 30-yard TD pass. Bavetta’s kick was good and the Rockets led 24-0 with 2:07 left in the half. And that’s how it stood at the half.

In the third quarter, Hernando intercepted at Rocket pass and returned the ball to the Neshoba 1-yard line. On the next play, the Tigers punched it in. The extra point was no good and Neshoba Central led 24-6 with 11:06 left in the third quarter.

With less than four minutes remaining, Anderson connected with Elijah Ruffin on a 24-yard TD pass play. Bavetta kicked the extra point and Neshoba Central led 31-6.

Early in the fourth quarter, Anderson connected with Bryceton Spencer on a four-yard TD pass play. Bavetta’s kick was good and neither team would score again.

The Rockets ran the ball 34 times for 146 yards. Kirkland was the leading rusher with 89 yards on 21 carries. Anderson ran five times for 40 yards. Dupree was the leading receiver with 140 yards on six catches while Spencer had six catches for 69 yards. Ruffin caught four passes for 40 yards.

The Tigers were held to 35 yards rushing. They completed 19-of-39 passing attempts for 193 yards.

Holmes finished with four tackles with four assists and had one interception. Ruffin had three tackles, an assist and two passes broken up. Jaharon Griffin had five tackles and four quarterback hurries. Beau Holley had two tackles, two assists and two quarterback hurries. Jashawn Mathis had two tackles and two assists.

“I thought defensively, we played very well,” Coach Patrick Schoolar said. “Offensively, we spread the ball efficiently. Zander came in and ran the ball well for us. He did a good job for us. The O-line did a good job and gave Eli some time.”






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