Rockets 0-4 on season after tough loss to West Point
The Neshoba Central Rockets lost a heartbreaker as they dropped a 19-9 decision at West Point Friday night in prep football action.
The Rockets dropped to 0-4 while West Point evened it record at 2-2. Neshoba Central will celebrate homecoming Friday night when it hosts Canton. The Tigers come in a 0-4, losing a 20-6 decision to Callaway last week.
“We were driving to take the lead,” coach Patrick Schoolar said. “We had a huge fumble and couldn’t get it done. We have played really well the last two weeks. We are starting to see some improvement and I think this tough schedule is going to pay off as we move toward our region schedule.”
Zach Ruffin recovered a fumble for the Rockets on their 29-yard line to set up Neshoba Central’s first possession. The Rockets then drove 71 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown. Jalyas Winters scored on a five-yard run on the first play in the second quarter. The point after try failed and Neshoba Central led 6-0.
West Point came back to score on a 25-yard run. The kick was good and the Green Wave led 7-6 with 3:51 left in the first half. Later in the period, West Point added to its score on a 5-yard TD run. The extra point kick was blocked and the Green Wave led 13-6 at the half,
John Parker Hancock kicked a 25-yard field goal with 4:25 left in the third quarter and the Green Wave led 13-9.
In the fourth quarter, the Rockets lost a fumble on their own 37-yard line. West Point drove the ball into the end zone in six plays, scoring on a two-yard run. The try for two failed with 9:04 left in the game with West Point holding a 19-9 lead.
The Rockets finished with 207 total yards with 86 rushing and 121 passing. Quarterback Will Williams completed 14-of-19 passes. Mehki Gaddis rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries. Charles Stevenson had seven catches for 60 yards. Zach Ruffin had three catches for 39 yards.
Defensively, Zach Ruffin had 20 tackles and a fumble recovery. Winters had 15 tackles. Darrian Ragsdale had 11 tackles and a forced fumble. Ry’Keem Simmon had 10 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Bo Hopson had nine tackles. West Point had 286 total yards.