By TERRY COOKSTON
CNHI
Rockwall —
Rockwall racked up a 24-0 regular scrimmage score and a 7-6 live period tally to knock off Class 4A Division II state semifinalist Denison at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium last Friday.
The scrimmage victory sent the Jackets into last night’s season opener and kickoff to the Heritage Honor Before Victory Classic (after press time) against Trevone Boykin and No. 4 area-ranked West Mesquite on a roll.
In first-round scrimmage action versus Denison, Rockwall’s No. 1 defense held the District 13-4A Yellow Jackets scoreless, sparked by Zach Farrow and Jared Farrow interceptions.
RHS’s No. 1 offense then used a mix of pass and run to post four first downs en route to a 1-yard TD blast by RB Josh Broach.
The Jackets No. 2 defense also shut down Denison with no first downs. LB Blaine Laurea reecovered a fumble in the 15-play series.
Rockwall’s second offense chalked up four first downs while marching to the 6-yard line, but a tackle for a loss kept the Jackets from the end zone.
The RHS No. 3 defense continued the Jackets dominance by also holding Denison scoreless and the offense put up two touchdowns. QB Blake Turner scored on a 2-yard run, set up by a 50-yard completion to WR Cameron Davis, and a 43-yard TD strike from Turner to Davis.
Rockwall then won second-round scrimmage play on a 66-yard TD aerial from No. 1 QB Alan Reed to speedster Spencer Edwards to give the Jackets a 24-0 lead going into the final live quarter.
Denison scored its first, and only, touchdown of the night on its first live-period possession on a 5-yard sweep after a Rockwall penalty moved the football to the 5-yard line. The 2-point conversion attempt failed leaving the score at 6-0.
It took the Jackets three possessions before Broach sprinted in from the 11-yard line with 27 seconds left to tie the score.
Kicker Travis Shinn, who didn’t miss a kick in 2009, continued his perfect streak by nailing the PAT attempt to give Rockwall the 7-6 live quarter win.
