On September 21, 2018, the Judson Rockets faced the Steele Knights at D.W Rutledge stadium for their first district game of the season.

In the first quarter, Steele recovered a fumble from the Rockets in the end zone and completed a touchdown, giving Steele the early lead. After the Rockets received the kick, they marched all the way down the field with senior Sincere McCormick scoring their first touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

Steele received a deep kick-off but after being completely shut down by Judson’s defense, they turned the ball over and Judson began their drive. After being instantly pressured, senior Mike Chandler attempted to fix the broken play with a throw to senior Amarea Bailey, who ended up scoring a touchdown. With yet another defensive stop by senior DeMarvin Leal, Judson recovered a fumble and was down at the 27-yard line. After he avoided pressure, Chandler scrambled for an electrifying touchdown. The Rockets went up 20-7 despite the missed the kick. After five straight run plays, sophomore De’Anthony Lewis charged through the Steele’s defense and gave them two first downs. At the 25 yard line, McCormick ran in for another touchdown to make the score 27-14, ending the first quarter.

In the second quarter, senior Rashad Wisdom intercepted a pass from Steele and returned it to the 49-yard line. Chandler threw yet another touchdown pass to senior Aniyah Spencer, making the score 34-14 with Judson in a very comfortable lead. On the second play, Steele’s receiver made his way to the six-yard line after an amazing catch. Leal fought through Steele’s offensive line and got a major sack on the quarterback. Steele was forced to kick a field goal but missed, keeping the score at 34-14 with Judson leading.

At the beginning of Judson’s drive, Lewis ran for a 25-yard carry and was finally brought down at the 45-yard line. Steele’s defense stopped Judson’s offense and forced them to kick an easy field goal, which increased the score 37-14. After Judson stopped all four attempts by Steele to get a first down, Judson started their dive by throwing a first down to Bailey. The score was still 37-14 at the end of the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Judson kicked the ball off at the start of the second half. Judson stopped Steele yet again and forced them to punt the ball away. McCormick zoomed past the Steele’s defense on the first play to score another touchdown. Judson lead handsomely with the score of 44-14. Wisdom recovered a fumble on Steele’s first play after returning the kickoff and ran 90 yards for a touchdown to make the score 51-14. With a turnover on downs, Judson got the ball at the 20-yard line but was shut down by Steele’s defense. Steele had gotten the ball in the last couple seconds of the third quarter. With eight seconds left in the third, Steele ran to the 17-yard line, which set up an easy field goal. Steele made the kick, which ended the 3rd quarter with Judson leading 51-21.

At the beginning of the 4th quarter, Lewis marched his way straight up the middle for two back to back plays gaining two first downs. He ran the ball again, but this time for a 52-yard touchdown after he broke through Steele’s offensive line. The game was out of reach for Steele with the Judson in the lead 58-21 late in the fourth quarter. As the game winded down with a final score of 58-21, Judson players celebrated after they secured their third win of the season, beating one of their biggest rivals in a massive city game.

Football will take on the San Marcos Rattlers at Rattler Stadium this Friday.