With the number one seed for District 16 Rock Port drew a bye for the first round and waited to play the winner of East Atchison vs. Albany. On Friday October 28th the Albany Warriors traveled to Blue Jay Stadium for the semi final round.
Rock Port elected to receive the ball #21 Tyler Jones took the opening kick off to the Rock Port 31 yard line before being brought down. Next play running back #24 Quentin Carder took quarterback #15 Jase Hughes hand off round the right side moving the ball to the Albany 29 yard line for a 21 yard gain.
Both Hughes and #27 Caden Linthicum had a carry for little or no gain before Linthicun took the hand off for a touchdown that was called back. Next play quarterback Hughes hit Jones on a 5 yard curl, who took it to the house for the first points of the night. Two point conversion by Carder was good.
Following the kick off Albany started on their own 37 yard line. The defense came up big holding the Warriors and taking over on downs.
On a bobbled snap Hughes scrambled down to the Warriors 14 yard line. Next play running back Carder broke several tackles to reach the end zone, his two point conversion was good giving the Jays a 16-0 lead.
The Blue Jays defense came up big once again holding the Warriors and taking over on downs. With the ball on the Albany 39 yard line and a third down Hughes hit Jones on a pass over the middle. Jones took the ball to the six yard line before being run out of bounds. Following an encroachment penalty on the Warriors quarterback Jase Hughes punched it in for six making the score 22-0, the tow point conversion was no good.
Once again the defense held their ground forcing a turnover on downs. Next play from the line of scrimmage Linthicum took the ball around the left side and gave Rock Port another touchdown, two point conversion was no good, making the score 28-0.
Following the kick off the Warriors put their first successful drive together of the night. From two yards out the Warriors on a quick pitch around the left end, put six points on the board. Two point conversion was no good making the score 28-6.
Rock Port wasted no time answering back on a pass from Hughes to Jones for six and Hughes keeper for two was good giving the Jays a lead of 36-6.
Albany took advantage of a failed on side attempt giving them a short field as they ran two play before scoring on a dive up the middle. Two point conversion was good making the score 36-14.
A short kick was taken by #10 Brock Martin to the 35 yard line. Caden Linthicum took the hand off 45 yards to the house adding to Rock Port’s lead to start the second quarter. Two point attempt was good by Hughes, making it 44-14.
With a short kick Albany was unable to capitalize before turning it over on downs. When quarterback Hughes hit a wide open #80 Ryan Dewhirst for his first touchdown on the night. Hughes two point attempt was good, making the score 52-14.
The Warriors managed to get on the board following a short kick and good field position, on a pass down the left sideline. The two point conversion was no good.
The Jays wasted no time again as Linthicum ran it in from 25 yards out, two point attempt was no good giving the Blue Jays a 58-20 lead.
Rock Port defense was able to hold the Warriors and take over on downs. This was followed by a fumble that the Warriors took advantage of with a pass over the top for six, making the score 58-26.
With a deep kick the Jays took over on their 25 yard line, after three unsuccessful plays the Jays lines up in punt formation with Linthicum back to punt. When he took the ball up the right sideline for a first down. Rock Port took advantage of the first down when Hughes hit Tyler Jones across the middle for six. The two point attempt was good by Hughes making the score 66-26. This brought an end to the first half.
Following half time the Jays put six more points on the board giving them enough points for the mercy rule and a running clock as the Warriors elected to keep playing. The final score was 72-26.
Rock Port will take on Stanberry Bulldogs on Friday night at Blue Jay Stadium kick off at 7 p.m.
Stanberry comes in the contest with a 9 and 2 record only losing to North Andrew and Worth County in close games.
Leading scorers: Jase Hughes 1, Tyler Jones 3, Caden Linthicum 3, Quentin Carder 1, and Ryan Dewhirst 1.
Leading Tacklers: Tyler Jones 13, Carter Ottmann 11, Noah Makings 11, Trenton Oswald 10, Caden Linthicum 9, Ryan Dewhirst 8, Brett Gayler 7, Quentin Carder 6, Dalton Brake 5, and Brock Martin 4.