Rockdale Lights Up Brock 45-29

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 21, 2017

The Tigers Keep it Lit

AT&T Stadium - The Brock Eagles (13-2) and Rockdale Tigers (12-3) met up to decide the Class 3A DI State Championship. These two teams enter AT&T Stadium with the distinction of having the most losses between the two participants (5) among all the title matchups. None of those matter now though as it has become a one game season for both. Brock is playing in their 2nd state championship game in only their 4th year of playing varsity football. Rockdale is playing in their 3rd state championship but first once since 1976. Rockdale has been playing varsity football for 93 years. This year is extra special for the Tigers because senior TE Tyler Lehmkuhl lost his dad just before two-a-day practices began this year. Matt Lehmkuhl was a prominent member of the Rockdale community. He was part of a group that had been planning to install a "Victory V" at the Tiger's stadium. To show support for him following his death, community member raised money and a "V" was installed on the Tiger press box. It is now lit after every win and stays lit until a loss. It has been lit continuously since their Novemberl 10th victory over Jarrell and now it will be lit all offseason at least.

Brock got the ball first and used a strong running game (3,021 rushing yards on the season) to get an early score. On the 3rd play from scrimmage, Dawson Littlepage ran it in from 60 yards out. The extra point made it 7-0. Rockdale was forced to punt after going 3 and out on their first series. Two plays later, Littlepage scored again this time from 1 yard out. The first play they ran was a 52 yard run by Tanner Patino. That made the score 14-0. The Tigers were only able to run 2 plays on their next drive when they fumbled the ball that was recovered by Brock at the Rockdale 16. The Rockdale defense held though and forced a turnover on downs at their 8. The Tigers were able to get a few first downs that was highlighted by a 52 yard pass play. The next play, though right after that pass they turned the ball over on a fumble. The quarter ended with Brock deep in Rockdale territory.

Brock opened the 2nd quarter with a score on the 2nd play of the half. It was Littlepage again as he scored from 2 yards out. That made the score 21-0. Rockdale finally got things going on their next possession as quarterback Torry Locklin (2,363 yards passing, 2,225 yards rushing 55 total touchdowns during the regular season) was able to run it in from 2 yards out. That brought the score to 21-7. Brock got the ball back but went 3 and out and then only got a 24 yard punt to give Rockdale the ball at the Eagle 41. One play later, running back Jaquayln Crawford (Oklahoma Commit, 1,329 total yards 21 total touchdowns during the regular season) ran it in and made the score 21-14. Brock was forced to punt again on their next possession and this time got a 12 yard punt to their own 35. Rockdale again scored, this time as Crawford lined up at quarterback and threw a 22 yard pass to Locklin who had lined up at receiver. That tied it all up at 21. Brock looked like they were going to answer and got a long pass play inside the 10 but the ball was punched out by Josh Springer (129 tackles during the season) and the ball was recovered by Springer. A few plays later, Locklin hit Crawford for a 74 yard pass and Rockdale took the lead 28-21.

Rockdale picked up in the 2nd half right where they left off in in the 1st when Locklin ran it in for a score from 39 yards out to make the score 35-21. Brock was forced to punt on their 1st possession of the 2nd half. For Rockdale, their first 3 drives of the game netted 74 yards and they had 2 fumbles lost. On their last 5 drives, they have had 279 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Rockdale punted twice and Brock fumbled to put the game into the 4th quarter.

Brock punted on their 1st possession of the 4th quarter. Rockdale then chewed up some clock behind the running of Locklin. They got a 25 yard field goal to make the score 38-21. Tigers defensive back Jackson Perry picked off a Brock pass and returned it for a touchdown but it was called back by a celebration penalty. Rockdale got the score anyway as Locklin got his 3rd rushing touchdown of the day and the Tigers now led 45-21 with 2:42 left in the game. Eagle's back Patino got Brock back on the board with a 52 yard touchdown run. The 2 point conversion made the score 45-29. The onside kick was recovered by Rockdale and they ran the clock out. TFND (Tiger Fight Never Dies) was on full display in this game.

Rockdale wins their 2nd state championship in 3 tries. Their other win was in 1976. Brock falls to 1-1 in state championship games in only their 4th year of playing varsity football.

Offensive MVP: Torry Locklin (202 yards passing, 256 yards rushing, 19 yards receiving 5 total touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Jaquayln Crawford (5 tackles 1 forced fumble....also 139 total yards and 2 touchdowns on offense)