Crockett Picks up Homecoming Win
Bulldogs Slip by Elks, 28-6
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – The Crockett Bulldogs welcomed the Elkhart Elks to Monte Jack Driskell Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25 for a District 11-3A DI matchup.
The Bulldogs came into the game with an overall record of 5-2 and a district mark of 2-1. The Elks sat at 5-3 overall and 2-2 in district.
While it was Homecoming in Crockett, the game was played under less than ideal conditions as the skies opened up just enough to let a light mist and some cooler weather factor into the contest throughout the night.
Elkhart used a solid running attack to help take an early lead and while Crockett’s passing game was grounded by the weather, the Bulldogs had enough of a rushing attack to take down the Elks by a final score of 28-6.
Once the Homecoming Court had been introduced and the new scoreboard was showcased, the two teams got down to the business of football.
The Elks opened the game with possession of the ball at their own 28 and launched a time-consuming drive which took up over half of the quarter.
Elkhart QB Cade Starr and RB RJ Moore ripped off huge chunks of real estate as the Elks moved deep into Crockett territory.
The slick conditions caused a fumble at the Bulldog 25, but the Elks pounced on the loose ball to keep their drive alive.
Moore picked up nine yards on second and 10, but an incompletion by Starr set up a fourth and one at the 16. Starr picked up four to set up Elkhart with a first and 10 at the Crockett 12.
On first down, Moore was thrown for a loss back to the 17. He got a yard back on second down, but a mishandled snap on third down pushed the ball back to the 21, making it fourth and 19.
The Elks decided to roll the dice and go for it on fourth down and when Starr found Richard Carrillo in the corner of the end zone, the gamble paid off.
The extra point was no good but with 5:53 left in the first quarter, Elkhart had seized an early 6-0 lead.
A failed onside kick gave the Bulldogs possession at their own 44 but three plays later, a fumble by Crockett gave the ball right back to Elkhart at the Elks 35. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the ball to midfield and Elkhart began to drive again.
Moore picked up seven yards on two carries while Starr added two to put the Elks in a fourth and one at the Crockett 41. A penalty gave Elkhart a first down and kept their drive going as the first quarter came to a close.
As the second quarter got underway, the Elks moved into the Bulldogs’ red zone. The Crockett defense stiffened and put Elkhart in a fourth and long situation. It was at this point the game turned.
Starr dropped back to pass but he was flushed out of the pocket. He turned up field as he worked his way towards the first down marker but as he attempted to cut back, Starr was levelled by a pair of Bulldogs who made a brutal – but clean – hit on the Elkhart QB.
The game took a backseat as Starr lay motionless on the field. Eventually, he was able to get to his feet and walked off under his own power. Unfortunately, Starr’s night was done and the Bulldogs took over at their own eight.
Crockett RB Joseph Porter, Jr. was held to no gain on first down but QB Jordan Bedford picked up six on second. An offsides penalty against the Elks gave the Bulldogs a first down but a holding call pushed Crockett back to the 12.
A double reverse to Cristian Brice picked up 31 and moved the ball near the midfield stripe. Back-to-back illegal procedure calls forced a Crockett punt, but Antonio Cruz pinned the Elks inside their own five on the kick.
A three and out gave the ball back to the Bulldogs with time running out in the first half. Crockett started at the Elkhart 41 and between A’myron Dixon and Jakecian Jones, the Bulldogs worked the ball down to the Elks’ two-yard line.
From there, Bedford called his own number and bulled his way across the goal line for the tying score. Cruz split the uprights with the PAT and with 1:11 left in the half, Crockett led 7-6.
The score remained that way until less than two minutes remained in the third quarter. An interception on a Bedford pass gave the Elks the ball at the 45-yard line. Two plays later, however, a fumble gave the ball back to the Bulldogs at their own 46.
Jones picked up two yards on first down and four on second. An incompletion set up a fourth and four for Crockett, but Jones answered the bell as he picked up the necessary yardage to keep the drive alive.
After Dixon picked up six down to the 38, Jones burst through a hole in the middle and rumbled 38 yards to pay dirt. Cruz hammered home the extra point and with 1:04 left in the third, the Bulldogs now led 14-6.
A three-and-out from the Elks gave the ball back to the Bulldogs as the fourth quarter got underway. Jones picked up three out to the 18 on first down and then Bedford slipped through a crease in the Elkhart defense, saw nothing but green turf ahead and raced 82 yards to the end zone.
Cruz tacked on the extra point and with 10:21 left in the game, the Bulldogs pushed their lead out to 21-6. Crockett added a late score on a 52-yard scamper from Dixon while Omar Garcia added the PAT to make the final score 28-6.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
