Nov. 2, 2018 @ Hampton

Game Recap By Jason Perry

After a day of rain resulted in a muddy field in Hampton, the stage was set for an old fashioned game of smash mouth football Friday night.

The Rockwood Tigers gained the upper hand in the trenches to emerge with the 7-6 win against the Hampton Bulldogs and advance to the second round of the TSSAA 2A football playoffs.

Both teams relied heavily on the ground game with Rockwood winning the battle in the trenches. It was wet, muddy, dirty, and grueling that came down more to a battle for inches rather than yardage.

“Our kids have become pretty resilient as of late,” Tiger Coach John Webb said. “They did what they needed to do to win the ball game against a good football team.

“At times we didn’t do a whole lot offensively, but there were other times when we had some chances. “We played well enough defensively and, hey, we’re moving on.”

For the game the Tigers were almost equal in total yardage with Hampton. Rockwood got the narrow advantage gaining 194 yards compared to the Bulldogs’ 192. The most telling statistic of the game was time of possession and ball control. The Tigers were able to keep ownership of the ball throughout much of the game and was able to run 52 plays where Hampton only managed 37.

Hampton was able to get off a big play or two, contributing to an advantage in the third quarter. Bulldog running back Lane Potter was able to squirt through the Rockwood defense on the way to a 50-yard touchdown to break the scoreless deadlock in the third quarter.

Hampton attempted to run in a two-point conversion, but the Tigers held tough and stuffed the attempt, making the score 6-0. The failed conversion attempt would come back to haunt the Bulldogs just a little later.

When Rockwood regained possession following the kickoff, it mounted a 13-play drive, 60-yard drive spanning the closing moments of the third frame and the opening minutes of the fourth.

The Tigers offense was dragged down the field due to the sheer strength of will from Dylan Williams, Octavious Worthy, and Caleb Bowen.

“They knew what they needed to do,” Webb said. “They knew to keep it between the tackles.

“Footing was terrible out here, but we able to grind out a few first downs, make Hampton use their times out and secure the victory.”

Rockwood capped the drive when quarterback Nate Brackett pushed into the end zone for a one-yard sneak. The extra point kick by Ben Woodall made the score 7-6.

The Tiger defense continued to stand tough and forced the Bulldogs to punt on their next possession. Rockwood’s next possession proved to be the last one for the game.

The Tigers chewed almost eight minutes off the clock and converted three fourth downs to keep time ticking away to the game’s end.

With the game’s conclusion, Rockwood will next set its sights on Meigs County. Kickoff is set for 7 pm at Meigs County.

Players of the week for Hampton Game are: #10 Dylan Williams and #29 Ben Woodall

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