Rockets to battle Gators for Region 2-5A championship
The Region 2-5A championship will be on the line Friday night when the Neshoba Central Rockets play host to the Vicksburg Gators in prep football action.
The Rockets took a 49-13 region victory over Jim Hill Friday night in Jackson. They stand at 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the region. The Gators stand at 7-2 overall and 6-0 in the region. Vicksburg beat Ridgeland 36-14 last week. Their losses have coming to Germantown and Warren Central. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
“It’s coming to be a big one,” Rockets coach Patrick Schoolar said. “It is going to determine first and second place in the division. They play a different style of football than we have seen all year. They are big and are run heavy. They play out of a double wing option. We’ll see if we can slow them down and outscore them.”
The Rockets scored all of their points against Jim Hill in the first half.
The Rockets got an early start as Ja’Naylon returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Hunter Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 7-0 with 11:39 left in the first quarter.
Neshoba Central scored again with Elijah Ruffin picked up a fumble and returned it one yard for a touchdown. Bavetta’s kick was good and the Rockets led 14-0 with 5:21 left in the first quarter.
As the second quarter ran down, Anderson connected with Dupree on a 68-yard TD pass play. Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets carried a 49-7 lead in at halftime. The Rockets did not score in the second half. The game was played with a running clock. Coach Schoolar played his reserve players throughout the two quarters.
Jim Hill scored in the fourth quarter when they returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good.
The Rockets finished the night with nine first downs and 566 total yards. Anderson completed 15-of-19 passes for 366 yards. Ruffin had four catches for 68 yards. Dupree had six catches for 192 yards.
Ruffin had one tackle, one assist and a recovery for a touchdown. Jahron Griffin had four tackles, two assists and a quarterback hurry. Jashawn Mathis had four assists and a forced fumble. Mark Kirkland had three tackles and three assists.