November 9, 2018. Center Roughrider’s Football Stadium –
The Center Roughriders Varsity Football Team saw their 5-game winning streak come to an end as they fell to the undefeated Jasper Bulldogs last Friday by a 54-25 score. Center will advance on to the Bi-District runner up of District 9 Class 4A-2 and will face Liberty on Friday, November 16, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Woodville High School. Liberty is 6-4 and was 2-2 in District 10 4A-2 action.
Jasper will now play Hamshire-Fannett on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lumberton High School Stadium.
Friday’s game saw the visiting Jasper Bulldogs defend their fifth straight title by coming back from behind after trailing the Roughriders throughout most of the first half of play. Turnovers played a major role in the game with Center having two fumbles and two interceptions while Jasper turned the ball over four times on three fumbles, and a mishandled kickoff.
The Bulldogs led 6-0 early after getting possession in the ‘Rider’s redzone after an early fumble.
The Roughriders bounced back scored on a 12-yard Keamodre Horace touchdown reception from Jayden Hicks with 10:45 minutes left in the first quarter. Alex Lopez tacked on an extra point kick which gave Center a 7-6 lead.
Jasper had a miscommunication on the ensuing kickoff which resulted in the ‘Riders recovering the football after Jakerrion Watson alertly fell on the loose ball deep in Jasper territory. Three plays later Hicks scored for Center on a quarterback keeper run which gave CHS a 14-6 lead with 3.25 left in the opening frame.
Jasper answered and pulled to within 12-14 of Center after Brashuan Hubbard scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with 5:42 left in the first half. Center thwarted a 2-point conversion attempt and held on to an early 2-point lead.
A Roughrider’s fumble with 2 ½ minutes left in the first half allowed the Bulldogs to take over in excellent position to take their first lead of the game. The Bulldogs went up 20-14 after scoring on another Hubbard scoring run and making a 2-point conversion.
A long completion from Hicks to Watson set up a 42-yard Lopez field goal which helped the ‘Riders cut the Bulldog’s lead to 20-17 at the halftime break.
The second half saw the Jasper Bulldogs pull away from Center by outscoring the Roughriders 34-8 during the final two quarters.
Center rushed 34 times for 236 yards. They went 9 for 16 passing for 94 yards. The ‘Riders were penalized three times for 20 yards. Jasper rushed 47 times for 398 yards. They completed three passes out of seven attempts for 28 yards. The Bulldogs were penalized four times for 30 yards.
