Rockets improve to 2-0 with win over Knights
“We have to keep working to get better,” Coach Patrick Schoolar said. “Right now, we are 2-0 and that’s where we wanted to be at this point.
“The game was a lot closer than the final score showed,” Schoolar said. “It was a close game until the end of the third quarter. They are a well-coached team and we knew they were going to get after us like they always do. I expect them to go a long way into the Class 4A football playoffs.
“Scott Central is well coached and it is going to be another tough game for us. They won the state championship two years ago. Last year, they got knocked out by the eventual champions. It will be a hard-fought game.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Rockets got on the scoreboard when Jarquez Hunter ran into the endzone on a five-yard run. Hunter Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 7-0 with 11:45 left in the second quarter.
West Lauderdale came back with a touchdown coming on a nine-yard rushing touchdown by JaKarius Grant. The extra point was good and the game was tied at 7-7.
Later in the quarter, Hunter scored on a two-yard run. Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 14-0 at the half.
Hunter scored again early in the third quarter when he recovered a fumble and returned it45 yards for a touchdown. Bavetta’s kick was true and the Rockets led 21-7.
The Knights would score 11 plays later, on a five-yard run. The extra point was good and Neshoba Central led 21-14 with six minutes left in the quarter.
Rocket quarterback Eli Anderson then ran for 78 yards and eight yards to put the Rockets inside the Knights’ five-yard line. He scored on the next play. Bavette kicked the extra point and Neshoba Central led 28-14.
On the Rockets’ next possession, Anderson connected with Bryceton Spencer on an 82-yard TD pass play on the first play of the fourth quarter. Bavetta’s kick was good and the Rockets led 35-14.
The Rockets scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Hunter scored on a 49-yard run and Spencer scored on a one-yard run. Both kicks were good.
The Rockets finished with 450 yards in total offense and 12 first downs. The Rockets rushed for 332 yards on 36 carries and completed 5-of-9 passes for 128 yards. The Rockets lost one fumble and were penalized six times for 80 yards.
West Lauderdale had 254 total yards and 15 first downs. The Knights rushed 25 times for 99 yards and complete 12-28 passes for 155 yards. West had eight penalties for 74 yards.
Hunter finished the night with 126 rushing yards on 18 rushes. He had three catches for 28 yards and 53 return yards on three opportunities, giving him 207 total yards. Anderson had 113 rushing yards and all of the Rockets’ passing yards, giving him 241 total yards.
Defensively, Kelbee Holmes had 12 tackles with two for loss. Jaharion Griffin had 10 tackles with one for a loss; Jashawn Mathis had six tackles and a sack; Beau Holley had six tackles and a sack; and Jason Bell had five tackles and a sack.