1st and TRN - Your Source for High Football School News

High School football teams in the Wichita Falls, Texas area

Who's Going
Forward
Click here

Center pict

« Raiders’ secondary facing challenge against Estacado tonight | Main | Windthorst dominates Goldthwaite to reach regional final »

Rider romps to 56-0 win over Estacado
November 30, 2007 11:24 PM

Andy Newberry
Times Record News

ABILENE, Texas - Damien Washington was held to 12 yards Friday night. And the Rider running back was all smiles afterward.

That's because the Raiders scored their 12th win, Washington scored four touchdowns and there’s a chance the senior will be playing at Texas Stadium next weekend.

Washington scored four first-half touchdowns as Rider took a 45-0 lead and coasted to a 56-0 shutout of Lubbock Estacado.

The Raiders (11-1) will face the Everman-Hereford winner for the Region I-4A championship. If it's undefeated Everman, the game is tentatively set for next Saturday night at Texas Stadium. If Hereford pulls an upset, the Region I-4A final would likely be in Lubbock.

"It's real exciting," Washington said. "I've always wanted to play there because that's where the Cowboys play. I think we're ready for it (the regional final)."

Junior receiver Eric Ward, who led the team with three catches for 64 yards, agreed.
"It's exciting," Ward said. "It feels good to be playing somewhere a pro team plays. Makes you want to play like a pro."

If Everman wins, it'll be Ward’s first trip to Texas Stadium.

The Raiders were focused from the outset against an overmatched Estacado team as Jurell Thompson opened the scoring with a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown.

That set the tone for a record-setting night for Rider. The 56-point margin broke the previous school record of 48, set last year in a 48-0 shutout of El Paso Chapin.

It will be the Raiders' third trip to the regional finals in the last four seasons.

"We try to come out and play every game like it's our last one," Ward said. "You have to start at 0-0."

Thompson finished the scoring for the Rider starters just 115 seconds into the second half with a 10-yard touchdown run and a two-point run as the holder. That made the score 53-0.

Joey Neale kicked his second field goal of the night in the fourth period to cap it off.

Rider quarterback Shavodrick Beaver also scored on a 41-yard run and connected with Washington on a 33-yard TD pass. Beaver scrambled away from pressure and took a dump-off to Washington. The senior running back made several defenders miss and picked up some good downfield blocks en route to his second receiving score of the year.

Washington also scored on runs of 4, 1 and 3 yards. Thompson rushed for 50 yards on five carries before leaving. Andre Inglis came off the bench to lead the team with 63 yards on seven carries. He also had a 30-yard reception on a screen pass.

Beaver completed his first eight passes for 90 yards and finished 10-of-13 for 131 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 53 yards, giving him 232 in the playoffs.

Lubbock Estacado played without starting quarterback Kyle Jackson (2,713 yards, 30 touchdowns). Jackson suffered a concussion in practice this past week.

Jonathan Burns, who had thrown five passes all year, couldn't duplicate the relief effort of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers from Thursday night.

Burns was pressured all night and completed six of 17 passes for 38 yards. The Matadors rushed for only 26 yards, passed for 72 and gained five first downs.

"I thought we came out ready to play," Rider coach Scott Ponder said. "I wish they'd have had their quarterback. I'd have liked to seen how we could round up (receiver Jeremy Watson).
"I thought our line put a lot of pressure on them. We did a good job on both lines."

Assistant sports editor Andy Newberry may be reached after 4 p.m. weekdays by calling (940) 720-3470 or (800) 627-1646, extension 447; or e-mail to NewberryA(at)timesrecordnews.com.

Rider 56, Lubbock Estacado 0
Rider Estacado
15 First Downs 5
32-194 Yards Rushing 29-26
165 Yards Passing 72
13-18-0 Comp/Att/Int 8-19-0
3-29.7 Punts-Average 11-29.8
1-0 Fumbles Lost 3-1
6-45 Yards Penalized 3-28
———
Rider 21 24 8 3 — 56
Lubbock Estacado 0 0 0 0 — 0
———
Rider — Jurell Thompson 50 punt return (Joey Neale kick)
Rider — Damien Washington 4 run (Neale kick)
Rider — Washington 33 pass from Shavodrick Beaver (Neale kick)
Rider — Beaver 41 run (Neale kick)
Rider — Washington 1 run (Neale kick)
Rider — Washington 3 run (Neale kick)
RIder — Neale 21 field goal
Rider — Thompson 10 run (Thompson run)
Rider — Neale 29 field goal
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing: (Ri) Jurell Thompson 5-50; Damien Washington 5-12; Shavodrick Beaver 3-53; Andre Inglis 7-63; Paul Mason 4-10; Eric Ward 1-5; James Chambers 1-3; Reid Barnett 2-0; Ovan Washington 1-(-4); Stephon Hardemon 2-1; Team 1-(-3); (LE) Davoyea Johnson 13-28; Jonathan Burns 13-(-13); Quentin Anderson 1-3; Deverick Stubblefield 2-8.
Passing: (Ri) Beaver 10-13-0, 131; Barnett 3-5-0, 34; (LE) Burns 6-17-0, 38; Others 2-2-0, 34.
Receiving: (Ri) Eric Ward 3-64; Chris Edmond 2-13; Inglis 1-30; Damien Washington 1-33; O. Washington 2-10; Christian Howells 1-7; Keyton Gibson 1-5; (LE) Jeremy Watson 3-29; Jovan Anderson 2-16; Santwane Gormany 1-18; Dontre McKenzie 1-8; Eric Washington 1-8.
Interceptions: None.
Fumble recoveries: (Ri) Tim Berardi 1.
Sacks: (Ri) Ryan McDonald 1, Tyler Tackett 1; James Chambers 1; Nick Pappas 1; Tri Mai 1.
Records: Rider 12-1; Lubbock Estacado 6-7.
Next: Division II Region I-4A final vs. Hereford-Everman winner,