Center Roughriders Stadium on Friday, September 15, 2021 -
After taking a narrow first loss on the road last week, the Center Roughriders varsity football team gained a 28-21 homefield win over the Daingerfield Tigers on Friday. The ‘Riders had to comeback from a 21-0 first half deficit and then they outpaced the Tigers 28-0 in the second half of play.
Daingerfield got on the board when senior quarterback Bubba Hampton broke free on a 14-yard quarterback keeper scoring run. Senior kicker John Solis added an extra point kick and put the Tigers up 7-0 points with 5:31 minutes left in the first quarter.
Center’s opening drive of the second quarter stalled but senior kicker Carlos Hernandez pinned the Tigers back at their own 20-yardline with a deep 60-yard net punt. The Tigers went on a long methodical drive which went 75 yards and was capped by a 12-yard Tigers scoring run by sophomore Ashton Williams with 6:01 left in the second period DHS went up 14-0.
Center’s next possession ended with them fumbling the football back to DHS. Then Tigers sophomore Tanner Teeter caught a 15-yard touchdown from Hampton which gave Daingerfield a 21-0 advantage with 2:29 left in the first half. This score held up till halftime.
An interception by Daingerfield’s Trent Boyd with 11 minutes left in the third stanza derailed Center’s first drive of the second half. The CHS defense held on the Tiger’s next drive and forced a punt. With 6:56 left in the third quarter Emonte Cash Cross broke free for a 45-yard quarterback keeper run for a touchdown. Carlos Hernandez kicked the extra point and CHS cut Daingerfield’s lead to 21-7.
On the Tigers next drive the ‘Riders defense held when a great pass rush helped Cross break up a Tigers pass attempt on fourth-down and 16 yards to go. Center took over possession with 2:30 minutes left in the third frame. The Center offense began to roll and with 1:05 left in the third quarter, Cross found TJ Belin for a touchdown reception. A Hernandez extra point kick cut the DHS lead to seven points at 21-14.
A 29-yard scoring reception from Cross to Belin allowed Hernandez to kick the extra point and tie the game at 21-21 with 9:04 left in the fourth quarter. Then Center took the lead for the first time when senior runningback Kaden Dixen broke free on a 75-yard touchdown run with 4:06 remaining in the contest. After another successful extra point Center led 28-21.
The Roughriders defense fought to keep the Tigers out of the endzone on their final drive and an interception by senior Da’Calvion Edwards helped to ice the game in the waning moments.
The Roughriders now boast a 3-1 win-loss record this season. They will next face the Canton Eagles, at Eagles Stadium on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles are 2-2 after winning their road game with Mabank 30-9. This will begin District 8 4A-2 conference play.
