On Saturday, December 12, 2020, the Judson Rockets (6-2) faced off against the Roosevelt Rough Riders (7-3) in the first round of the 2020-2021 playoffs at D.W Rutledge Stadium. 

The Rockets started off strong in the first quarter but were quickly shut down and forced to punt. After a defensive turnover, senior De’Anthony Lewis got his first carry of the game and wasted no time, running over his opponent. Immediately after, Lewis fumbled on the five-yard line giving up a Judson touchdown opportunity. The Rough Riders drove up the field with multiple screen passes leading them into the end-zone giving them a 7-0 lead ending the first quarter. 

At the start of the second quarter, junior Michael Burroughs tried to bring the Rockets back into the game as he utilized the run. After a screen pass to Lewis for a first down, he kept the momentum and pushed his way into the end-zone to tie the game at 7-7. During their next drive, Burroughs delivered a pass to senior Jason Bratcher as he shook his defender for a first down. The Rockets couldn’t capitalize on their momentum as Burroughs threw an incomplete pass for a turnover on downs. On the Rough Riders’ next possession, they rushed the ball into the end-zone to put them up 14-7. For the rest of the quarter, both teams went back and forth turning the ball over and over until the second quarter ended with Judson still trailing 14-7. 

The second half started with Roosevelt receiving the ball, which was then turned over on fourth down. During Judson’s next drive, Burroughs faked the handoff to Lewis and kept the ball, running for a first down. The next play, Burroughs gave the ball to Lewis as he rushed for a touchdown tying the game at 14-14. During the Rough Riders’ drive, sophomore Jeffrey Bondoc got an interception to give the offense a chance to gain the lead. But shortly after, Burroughs threw an incomplete pass in the end zone. To further rub salt in the wound, the Rockets missed the potential lead changing field goal. The Rough Riders began to march down the field as they scored another touchdown giving them a 21-14 lead to end the third quarter.

Two minutes into the final quarter, senior Isaiah Washington got his first rushing touchdown of the day, tying the game at 21-21. The Rough Riders attempted to march down the field for a second straight time but were shut down and forced to punt. With the game on the line, Burroughs threw an interception with five minutes left on the clock. The Rough Riders took the lead with a rushing touchdown putting them up 28-21 ending the game with the Roosevelt Rough Riders defeating the Judson Rockets in the first round of the 2020-2021 playoffs. 

The Judson Rockets season has come to an end as they finished 6-3 overall for the season.

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