Quarterback Westyn Amthor hands off to runningback Brock Holmes for six points. (JR Chaney photos)
Gabe Gehards and Jack Meyerkorth cover the flat.
Defensive End Ryder Herron dives to get the fumble.
Defensive back Logan Ellis breaks up a deep pass.
Last Friday, Rock Port, ranked pre-season at number 3, traveled to Grant City, Missouri, home to Worth County Tigers, who were ranked number 2. This was one of the biggest matchups of the first week of football and it didn’t disappoint as the two battled it out all four quarters.
The Rock Port defense came up big with two goal line stops, one from the 7 yard line and the other from the 2. They also had 2 fumbles and 2 interceptions. Rock Port had a great start offensively overall rushing for over 219 and 5 touchdowns, along with 124 receiving yards for a total of 343 yards.
Rock Port would start the game kicking the ball to Worth County. The Tigers moved the ball to the Jays’ 24 yard line before turning it over on downs. On their first possession the Jays moved the ball to the 11 yard line before quarterback Westyn Amthor handed off to runningback Brock Holmes who went up the middle for the first score of the night. Worth County would put themselves back in the game on their next drive, going 75 yards bringing the score to 6-6. Rock Port’s next series would end with Brock Holmes going off the left side 33 yards to find the endzone. Amthor would hit Jack Meyerkorth on a quick slant for the 2 point conversion, bringing the score to 14-6 Rock Port. Worth County would answer back with a 45 yard quarterback keeper to bring the score to 14-12. The PAT was no good. This would end the first quarter.
To start the second quarter both Rock Port’s and Worth County’s defense came alive, forcing each team to punt the ball away twice. Midway through the third quarter defensive back Jack Meyerkorth would get his first of two interceptions on the night. With a good return, this would set up a 26-yard pass from Amthor to Camden McEnaney for six points, followed by Brock Holmes’ 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 22-12 Rock Port. Worth County answered back with a long pass to add 8 points and were on their way to put six more on the board when the Jays’ defense came up with a big stop on the 7 yard line causing a fumble. Defensive end Ryder Herron recovered the ball. Runningback Brock Holmes would pick up 75 of his 205 total rushing yards from this next drive as the Jays moved the ball. Meyerkorth would catch a 20 yard pass to set Holmes up on the 5 yard TD run to give the Jays a 28-20 lead at halftime.
Defense dominated the second half as both teams would only score once in the third quarter and zero in the fourth quarter. The final score was 34-26 Rock Port. The Jays will be at home on Friday and take on the Princeton Tigers. Princeton lost to Mound City in week one action. Good luck Jays!
