Leading after the first quarter, the Sundown Roughnecks were unable to hold on to their lead and fell 29-8 to the New Deal Lions.
Sundown led in the first quarter 8-0 at the end of the first quarter but New Deal responded with 29 unanswered points, starting with 15 points in the second quarter.
Losing the ball on the ground with two fumbles, and through the air with two interceptions, set the Roughnecks’ offense back, giving the New Deal team more opportunities to score points. The Lions recovered a fumble for a 99-yard touchdown, and from there Sundown lost their opportunity to take a double-digit lead.
“All the momentum flipped back to them, and we never could get it back,” Sundown’s Head Coach Brannon Rodgers said. “Had a chance to be up 16-0 and it flipped on us, and it was a big swing.”
The Roughnecks defense allowed the Lions to have a balanced attack, giving up 179 yards on the ground and in the passing game.
Sundown (0-8, 0-2) is in last place in District 3-2A entering their matchup versus firstplace Post (7-1, 2-0). With two district games remaining, Rodgers still believes in his team’s chances, as they are “on the verge of hitting on all cylinders,” he said. “And when we do, we’ll be a tough out.”
The Roughnecks will try to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Post game at 7p.m. on Oct. 30 in Sundown.