Malakoff Cruises to 37-22 Victory Against Atlanta

[By Stephen Amason, special to ETSN.fm]

LONGVIEW – It was cold, windy and raining, but even unfriendly weather conditions couldn’t slow down Malakoff’s offense.

The Tigers were dominant on the ground, rushing for 439 yards in a 37-22 victory against Atlanta in a 3A Division I quarterfinal game Saturday afternoon.

RJ Carr was the monster in Atlanta's nightmare. He finished the game with 10 carries for 206 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Rabbits had a hard time bringing him down throughout the game, as he averaged 20 yards per carry.

Malakoff (11-2) got on the board first, scoring on a 6-yard run from Darion Peace at the 8:13 mark to take a 7 - 0 lead early the first quarter.

The Tigers finished the first quarter with a 14-0 lead going into the second frame. Malakoff opened the second quarter with 44-yard dash by Carr for touchdown, taking a 21-0 lead.

Atlanta (8-6), desperately needing to put some points on the board, scored off 13-yard scamper by Caleb Hamilton but, missed the extra point, making the score 21-6.

After a dominating the first half, Malakoff took a commanding 31-6 lead into the break.

Both teams had good defensive efforts throughout most of the third but, with 5:53 remaining in the quarter, Malakoff added to its huge lead of a 7-yard score by Carr, putting the Tigers up 37-6.

The Rabbits, not ready to lay down just yet, started to fight back late in the third quarter and scored off a 1-yard rush by Jawan King and 48-yard dart by Dra Nelson, ending the quarter with Malakoff up 37-22.

Although the Rabbits showed some life in the third quarter, the fourth quarter wasn't as kind. They tried to rely heavily on their passing game but never could make any connections.

Malakoff's defense showed up and stopped Atlanta, controlling the quarter, bringing the Tigers a victory, and another step towards the state title.

Malakoff’s Keevie Rose ended the game with 126 rushing yards off 24 carries and two touchdowns.

Atlanta running back Jawan King finished the game with 13 carries, 98 yards and one touchdown.

Malakoff advances to the 3A Division I state semifinals and will face Brock (13-1) at 4 p.m. Friday at Frisco’s Ford Center .