On October 28, 2022, the Judson Rockets (4-4) faced off against the Steele Knights (8-0) at D.W. Rutledge Stadium for their second to last district play game. 

The first quarter started off in the favor of Judson winning the coin toss and chose to receive the ball from the Knights. After two minutes of unsuccessful play, the Rockets decided to let Junior Douglas Toliver punt. Senior Jeffrey Bondoc intercepted a pass intended for the Knights. A pass by Anthony Evans to Nathaniel Stanley was found incomplete, pushing the Rockets back five yards. After the Knights took possession, they slowly inched their way down the field until the Knights found a hole in the Rockets defense and scored the first touchdown of the game, with the score 0-7, Knights. Sophomore Davian Watson ran the ball to the 40 yard line, however it was pushed back to the 47 yard line. Toliver punted to the Knights, starting Steele at the 29 yard line. The first quarter ended with the ball on the 36 yard line. 

The second quarter started off uneventful until a 4th down stop by Junior Jaiden Haygood and Senior Johnny Bowens gave the Rockets possession of the ball on the 36 yard line. A pass intended for the Rockets was intercepted by Steele’s defense, allowing them to gain possession on the 30 yard line. Another touchdown by Steele, with the score 0-14, Knights. Rockets slowly move their way up the field 27 yard line. Stanley caught the ball and ran it to the 14 yard line. Kicker Adrian Cortez set up for a field goal on the 9 yard line and found himself unsuccessful, giving Steele repossession of the ball.  

Steele’s first drive coming out of the half was unsuccessful due to the Rockets defense coming out swinging. After a 10 yard drive downfield, Stanley rushed the ball in from the 3rd yard line scoring a touchdown, making the score 7-14 Steele.

 After the kickoff, Bowens got a crucial stop in the backfield resulting in a Steele 4th down situation. The Judson offense couldn’t capitalize on the play, bringing up a fourth down situation and punted the ball away, giving the ball back to the Knights. Judson’s defense stood tall at the goal line, blocking the kick from Steele. Evans scored a 4 yard touchdown, and made the score a tie, 14-14. Steele scored another touchdown, and brought the score to 14-21, Knights. In the fourth down situation, the Judson offense was successful in converting the first down. On a flea flicker, Senior Jeremiah Dunn connected with Senior Jonathan Johnson downfield for a red zone first down. Favela threw a pass to Evans in the back of the end zone. Evans scored a touchdown, and made the score 21-21, all. With nine seconds left, Steele’s field goal was missed, sending the game into overtime. 

Coming into overtime, the Rockets elected to defend the first series. As Steele runs into touchdown, a flag was thrown. Steele scored a touchdown, score 21-28, Knights. The Rockets scored a touchdown, with the score tied, 28, all. This led into a second overtime. The Rockets scored a touchdown, which brought the score to 34-28, Rockets. Steele scored with a run up the middle and scored the 2. We answered back with a touchdown of our own, making the score 34, all, causing a third overtime. The Knights scored a 2, score 34-36, Knights. The Rockets scored a 2, score 36, all. The Knights scored again, and the Rockets couldn’t answer back. That was the ballgame, score 38-36, Knights

The Judson Rockets (4-5)  will face the New Braunfels Unicorns (6-3) at Unicorn Stadium on November 4, 2022.