On Friday December 4, 2020, the Judson Rockets faced off against the Smithson Valley Rangers in the annual homecoming game at D.W Rutledge Stadium. 

The Rangers kicked off to the Rockets to start off the game. Senior De’Anthony Lewis made it a short possession as he ran from end zone to end zone to give the Rockets the first lead of the game. The next drive, the Rangers marched downfield giving the quarterback a shot at the end zone, tying the game at 7-7. After a hard drive by the Rockets, the Rangers forced the Rockets to take a field goal, giving them a 10-7 lead. The Rangers made another successful drive as their quarterback rushed into the end zone to put the Rangers up 14-10. Lewis tried to keep momentum as he fought for a first down as the buzzer rang to end the first quarter. 

To begin the second quarter, the Rockets tried to rally but were forced to punt the ball away but the Rockets defense finally got a stop to try and spark up a comeback. Junior Michael Burroughs pulled the offense together as he rushed for his first touchdown of the night, making the score 17-14. The Rangers answered back with a deep ball into the end zone to make the score 21-17 with the Rangers leading at the end of the half.

With the Rangers receiving the kickoff, they came out strong, being the first to score in the third quarter. Burroughs, almost pushing into the end zone, got stripped causing a fumble, which was recovered by the Rangers. In the next play, the Rangers got the first down ending the third quarter with them in the lead 28-17. 

The Rangers started the fourth quarter hot as they rushed for another touchdown, making the score 17-35. Lewis followed his blockers and found a lane, taking it all the way for a touchdown making the score 24-35. During the Rocket’s next possession, Burroughs delivered a perfect pass for senior Davion Wilson to go up and grab, putting the score at 30-35. With a comeback in sight, Burroughs fought for the extra points diving into the end zone for a two-point conversion making the score 32-35. The Rangers tried to close the game out with a first down but the Rockets got a clutch turnover on downs. With little time left on the clock, the Rockets couldn’t find the end zone and the Rangers closed the game out to win with a score of 35-32. 

The Judson Rockets (6-2) will play the Roosevelt Rough Riders (7-3) in the first round of the playoffs on Friday, December 11, 2020, at D.W Rutledge Stadium.

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