Friday, August 31, 2018. Center Roughriders’ Stadium –
The Center Roughriders’ Varsity Football Team won their first game of the season in a nail-biter which went down to the final tick of the clock. Center led the Tatum Eagles 35-30 with just four seconds remaining in the final period. The Center defensive secondary maintained coverage well enough to force Tatum to attempt a pass which was caught, but could not be pulled down inbounds as time expired.
The Eagles started the game with a 58-yard drive which was capped off with a 5-yard scoring run by senior running back Jachais Jenkins with 10 minutes left in the first period. An extra point kick gave Tatum the first lead at 7-0.
Center answered by going 73 yards in six plays to tie the game after junior wideout Jakerrion Watson caught a pass from Jayden Hicks for a 51-yard score with 9:01 left in the opening frame. Junior kicker Alexis Lopez kicked the extra point which tied the game at 7-7.
Tatum scored next with a 14-play, 79-yard drive, which was completed with a 15-yard run by Jenkins with 3:50 left in the first quarter. Their extra point kick was good and the Eagles led 14-7.
Ismael Vasquez kicked a 22-yard field goal for Tatum in the second quarter which gave the Eagles a 17-7 lead with 3:54 left before halftime. The Eagles then attempted an onside kick which was covered by ‘Rider Jamichel Weathered at Center’s 40-yard line and gave Center good field position.
The Roughriders wasted no time and went 60 yards in seven plays before scoring. Hicks hit Chris Jackson for a 6-yard scoring reception with 1:19 left in the second quarter. Lopez tacked on the extra point kick which cut Tatum’s lead to 17-14.
Center took a 21-17 lead into the locker room after Jakerrion Watson pulled down a deflected 53-yard touchdown pass with time expired in the first half.
Tatum found the endzone first in the second half when they capped a 60-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:30 left in the third stanza. This gave the Eagles a 24-21 advantage.
Center’s Jake Hanson recovered a Tatum fumble late in the third period at Tatum’s 24-yard line. With just 25 seconds left in the third frame, Center regained the lead when Watson caught a 1-handed touchdown pass from Hicks to give CHS a 28-24 advantage.
Center extended their lead to 35-24 with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Hicks with 8:08 left in the contest.
Tatum made the final touchdown, on a 20-yard reception with less than three minutes left in the game. The Eagles attempted a 2-point conversion but it failed. The Eagles trailed 35-30 and the Roughriders defense was able to hold them off.
The ‘Riders rushed the football 20 times for 159 yards. They completed 13 of 18 passing attempts for 249 yards. Center gained 13 first downs. They were penalized three times for 25 yards.
Tatum rushed the football 37 times for 274 yards. They completed 20 passes out of 29 attempts for 187 yards. They gained 23 first downs. They had a fumble and were intercepted twice. The Eagles were penalized seven times for 95 yards.
Center is now 1-0 for the regular season. Head Coach Barry Bowman and his staff will prepare the Roughriders to play the Jefferson Bulldogs, at Jefferson next Friday, September 7, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. They will begin District 9 4A-2 play at Tarkington High School on October 12,2018.
