Tigers fall at Oneida, 21-7

Nov. 14, 2014 @ Oneida

Game Recap Credit: Goose Lindsay

Rockwood head coach John Webb knew that if his football team was to win Friday's TSSAA Class 2A playoffs game at Oneida, it would happen only if his squad played a really good football game. That didn't happen as turnovers, penalties and poor field position were the deciding factors in a 21-7 loss to the Indians.

"We just didn't execute the way we needed tonight against a good football team," Webb said following the loss. "We had turned the ball over something like 10 times in our previous three games and still found a way to win, but our luck ran out tonight."

The Tigers turned the ball over three times compared to none for the Indians. The first turnover occurred two plays into game and gave the Indians a short field as Oneida took a 7-0 lead following a 5-play, 30-yard drive. Jake Lawson scored the touchdown on a 1-yard run.

A short field was something else that worked in the Indians favor all evening. Both teams had the ball 10 times, but Rockwood's average starting field position was its own 19-yard line while Oneida's average starting spot was 32 yards better at the Rockwood 49. Only two Indian possessions started inside their own 45-yard line, while eight of Rockwood's possessions started inside the 25.

"We just couldn't get out of the hole," Webb said. "And when we did, we'd turn it over or get a penalty that kept us backed up."

After spotting the Indians the early lead, Rockwood put together a solid that reached inside the Oneida 30-yard line, but the drive ended in a fumble after a 14-yard gain that would have given Rockwood a first down at the Indian 28.

Rockwood would not cross midfield the rest of the half. Oneida had the ball in Tiger territory on each of its next three possessions, but the Tigers turned away the Indians on all three occasions.

The Tigers finally got things going in the third quarter. After forcing a three-and-out to start the second half, Rockwood marched 83 yards in 14 plays and tied the score at 7-7 when Will Warner scored on a 1-yard sneak with 3:37 left in the third period.

Jason Gaus was a workhorse in the drive, carrying the ball eight times for 49 yards.

"We weathered the storm and made some adjustments at halftime," Webb said. "We came out and moved the ball well in the third quarter."

Rockwood, however, couldn't turn that momentum into a field position advantage. The Indians returned the ball to the 45 on the kickoff and soon backed Rockwood up to the 8-yard line following a punt to end the third quarter.

The Tigers were unable to punch out of the hole and that set up a 10-play, 45-yard scoring drive for Oneida that gave the Indians a 14-7 lead with 6:21 left in the game. Lawson scored his second touchdown on a 4-yard run.

Rockwood had something going on its ensuing possession as they reached the Indian 49, but a fumble on 3rd-and-two killed the drive and again gave the Indians great field position.

Rockwood's defense held and forced a punt, but with time running low, the Tigers were forced to go for it on 4th-and-seven from their own 14. The fourth down pass failed and that set up a 14-yard Indian scoring drive that put the game away when Lawson scored from 8 yards out with 1:42 left to play.

Rockwood did win the statistical battle Friday night, but that was negated by turnovers and field position. The Tigers out gained Oneida 227-171 in total yardage.

Gaus led the Tiger attack as he carried the ball 17 times for 83 yards. Rockwood ended the game with 176 yards rushing on 47 attempts.

Despite the loss, Rockwood ended the season with an 8-4 record while advancing to the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

"It was a good year," Webb said. "We had a couple of bumps along the way, but we righted the ship and played some good football at the end of the year. We just ran into a good team tonight.

"I'm really proud of our seniors, especially Dallas Strader, Drake Long, Justin Griffin and Tikael Hannibal. Those are the four that played all for years. We really leaned on our seniors when times got tough in the middle of the season."

Oneida improves to 10-1 with the win and will host Grace Christian Academy (9-3) Friday night in the TSSAA Class 2A quarterfinals.

Scoring

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Individual Statistics

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Game Video Highlights and Post Game Interviews

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