Five total turnovers led to the Sundown Roughnecks’ struggles to garnish enough points in their 34-14 loss versus the Olton Mustangs.
Fumbles have been an Achilles’ heel for the Sundown offense throughout the season, making it difficult for the Roughnecks to consistently put up points on the board. Sundown has amassed 1,243 rushing yards this season, including 257 yards on 40 carries against Olton. However, the Roughnecks’ 10 fumbles lost, including four this past week, have put the offense at a disadvantage.
“Our own mistakes are what is costing us ball games,” Rodgers said. “We’ll play cleaner football going into district.”
Sundown’s defense was able to hold off Olton to six points in the first half, but the Roughnecks offense was not able to capitalize on the Mustangs’ offense stalling, and Coach Rodgers sawthat as a missed opportunity to get a different outcome.
“We should have had three touchdowns in the first half, but turnovers and penalties kind of negated that, “ Rodgers said. “We just have to play cleaner football to win.
Starting the season 0-6, Coach Rodgers sees the start of district play as a new season for his team to shift the mindset to a little more urgency.
“It wouldn’t matter if we were 6-0 or 0-6 right now. None of that matters. What matters now is what you do going forward,” Rodgers said. “Everybody’s on an equal playing field, and I feel like our district is wide open.”
Sundown will play their first district foe, New Home, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 on the road.
This matchup will be decided on the “offensive and defensive line,” Rodger said, as the style of New Home’s run game will clash with the Roughnecks’ run defense.