Rockdale Eliminates Malakoff from Postseason, 46-33

[By Joe Elerson, Athens Daily Review]

CROCKETT – Malakoff fell to Rockdale, 46-33, on Friday night in a Class 3A Division I bi-district game at Monte Jack Driskell Stadium, where Malakoff coach Jamie Driskell played and his dad was a coach. 

With the loss, Malakoff's season ended at 9-2, while Rockdale improved to 8-3 overall. This was a rematch of last year's regional semifinal contest, which Malakoff won 27-14 in Waco.

Rockdale will now face Woodville in the area round next week. Woodville defeated Hempstead, 52-14, on Friday night. 

The game between Rockdale and Malakoff looked to start out as a shootout. On the opening kickoff, Rockdale fumbled the kick as Malakoff recovered on the Rockdale 30-yard line.

Senior quarterback Judd Miller found Ethan Snow open in the end zone from 13-yards out for the 7-0 lead. Hector Romero booted the PAT good with 10:58 remaining in the first quarter.

Rockdale tied the game at 7 with 7:55 remaining as Torry Locklin scored from 5 yards out. Luis Iruegas booted the PAT good.

Following an interception by Miller, Rockdale took the lead with 1:54 remaining in the opening quarter as Jaqualyn Crawford blasted his way for a 49 yard touchdown run. The PAT was good for the 14-7 lead.

In the second quarter, Rockdale scored again as Locklin found tight end Tyler Lehmkuhl on a 45-yard reception for the 20-7 lead. The Tigers missed the field goal.

Malakoff cut the deficit to six at 20-14 with 6:58 remaining as Zee Bailey scored on a four yard run. Romero booted the PAT good.

Rockdale would score again as Locklin blasted his way for 24 yards to paydirt. He would then run in the two-point conversion to give them a 28-14 lead.

Malakoff cut it to 28-20 with 49 seconds remaining as Bailey scored on a two yard run. The Tigers went for two, but were stopped short.

Rockdale would take a 31-20 lead into the break as Iruegas booted a 37-yard field goal good with no time on the clock.

The only touchdown of the third quarter came with 1:31 remaining as Locklin found Crawford on a one-yard touchdown reception. The kick was good for the 38-20 lead.

Malakoff would open the fourth quarter scoring with 10:01 left as Miller scored from 26 yards out. The kick failed for the 38-26 deficit.

Miller would again score with 4:42 remaining on a two-yard run for the 38-33 deficit.

The final touchdown came with 1:17 remaining as Locklin scored on a seven-yard run. The run by Locklin was good for the 46-33 finale.