The Ropes Eagles took down the Sundown Roughnecks, 54-8, this past Friday night in a huge district rivalry football game.
Ropes was able to impose their will on both offense and defense on a night where Sundown didn’t seem to have any answers.
The win moves Ropes to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in district this season, while the loss drops Sundown to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in district this season.
“It was a good game and a good statement for our team,” Ropes Football Head Coach Beau Riker said. “I think we came out and played physical Eagle football and that’s what the game plan was. We had to match their physicality up front, we knew they were going to try to lean on us and win in the trenches. Tonight, I think we did a really good with our front on offense and defense.”
Ropes certainly won in the trenches as they rushed for 265 yards and five touchdowns, while holding Sundown to 83 rushing yards on 39 carries and 2.1 yards a carry.
And along with the great run defense they also locked down the Roughnecks passing game tallying five interceptions and holding them to 95 passing yards.
Junior free safety Kolter Dockery was responsible for two of those interceptions with one of them being a 21-yard pick-six.
Junior cornerback Branson Simental, senior free safety Ryland Kieth and senior linebacker Kanon Bucker also all recorded an interception in the game.
“The secondary did a really good job making the picks and the inside linebacker got one. But more than that, you’ve got to give that to the pressure up front,” Coach Riker said. “When they’re throwing the ball up for grabs, we’ve got to go get it and we start with our pressure up front, and I thought those guys did a good job for our secondary. Then the secondary’s got to go make the play and they did a fantastic job at going and getting the ball.”
Ropes didn’t record any sacks, but they had 16 quarterback pressures, so kudos to the defensive line for putting the rest of the defense in advantageous situations.
That success against the pass made the Roughnecks one-dimensional more often than not, which provided the Eagles success against their run game as well, as they recorded 18 tackles for loss.
Five of those came from junior linebacker Jaivyth Cruz, who also led the team in tackles with 24.
On the offensive side of the ball, junior utility player Zayden Pittman led the way with 120 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on seven carries, also adding a seven-yard reception for a receiving touchdown.
He also made the play of the night at quarterback, as he evaded multiple defenders in the backfield on a play and ran nearly 50 yards to score a nine-yard touchdown, which he finished off by trucking a defender so hard he broke his own face mask.
Pittman was the difference maker for the Eagles offense on the night, which meant a little more to Coach Riker.
“He’s a great kid. First and foremost, he’s very special to me personally. He’s Coach Pittman’s kid but I’ve helped raise him in my house, and he’s helped raise my kid in his house. So, my son and his son are best friends, and they have been since a little age,” Coach Riker said. “So, it’s just been great to see him on the field. His brother was a really good athlete for us, and I think he can challenge his brother now. He’s got some moves and speed. I love the kid and his family, but a heck of a job tonight by Zayden Pittman.”
Several of his teammates also left their mark on the game too, as running backs Jaivyth Cruz and Ryland Keith both recorded rushing touchdowns as well as senior quarterback Kade Franklin, who also threw for two touchdowns.
And rounding out their scorers was Branson Simental who also caught a touchdown.
For Ropes it was an unforgettable night, resulting in a tough night for Sundown, which Sundown Head Football Coach Brannon Rodgers spoke on.
“They’re a very good football team and they make you do some things you don’t want to do and put you in a bind. They put a lot of pressure on us tonight, so good job to them,” Coach Rodgers said.
Coach Rodgers also noted that though the score may not show it, his team still did some good things, and anyone who watched would say the same thing.
The Roughnecks had stretches in the game where they were playing good football, putting together sustained offensive drives and containing the Ropes offense.
But then Ropes would string together multiple momentous plays and stack on quick points, which was too much for Sundown to overcome.
Still, several individuals were able to find success for the Roughnecks including senior wide receiver Coen Nevarez, who had three catches for 24 yards along with seven rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Freshman quarterback Cooper Day also played well, recording 27 rushing yards and 33 passing yards.
The kickoff return unit utilized their opportunities too as junior Ryan Pope had three returns for 96 yards with a long of 68 yards and junior Corey Pormanes had two returns for 41 yards.
Those four players were difference makers against Ropes and while the team result wasn’t what they wanted, it’s still something that can help them.
“You want to play good teams, and we’ve been playing good teams all year,” Coach Rodgers said. “Ropes is definitely a good team and you’re going to run into good teams in the playoffs. So, getting on the field and finding out things you need to work on, to get back into this game hopefully in the playoffs.”
The Roughnecks will learn from this and use it to become better not just for the playoffs, but their next matchup against Tahoka this Friday at home at 7 p.m.
Ropes will be playing at the same time, hosting Seagraves for a matchup that will likely decide the district champion.