Edgewood Gets Back On Track, 41-11
EDGEWOOD — The Rice Bulldogs came to Edgewood with an upset in mind and for one half, at least, kept the Edgewood faithful concerned.
Edgewood held a 20-11 halftime lead. But, 21 points by Edgewood in the third quarter left Rice out of the upset bid and Edgewood would go on to get back in the win column, 48-11.
This now sets up a big game in the playoff race next week in Malakoff as the Tigers are coming off a big shutout win over Scurry-Rosser, 41-0.
With two straight losses that were very disappointing for Edgewood, the Bulldogs came out on homecoming night with the intent of blowing out Rice. However, in the first half Rice was up to the challenge.
The game started with Edgewood getting the ball and starting at its own 45. Ethan Rutter hit Colten Hinton for two passes and 36 yards, and Levi Weaver would get three carries for 15 yards including the 8-yard TD with 8:24 to go in the first quarter. The two-point conversion failed.
Edgewood forced a three-and-out on defense and took over at the Rice 48 to promptly drive down to get the second score on the night. This time Rutter hit Darrius Rogers for two passes and 40 yards helping to get the ball down to the 3-yard line where Joseph Reed scored,
Mario Bustillos added the PAT to make it 13-0 with 3:45 showing in the first quarter.
However, Rice would go for its upset bid by going on a 17-play, 66-yard drive that took 8:55 off the game clock, ending on Austin Anderson’s 1-yard run,
Anderson also added the two-point conversion and the score was then 13-8 with 6:50 to go in the half.
Rice would kick the ball short and, with Edgewood taking over at the 41, everyone expected another scoring drive. However, Rutter fumbled the snap and Rice recovered at the Edgewood 35.
The Edgewood defense would hold them up, though, and force Rice to kick a 30-yard field goal by Jody Bernal to make it 13-11 with 3:55 to go in the half.
Edgewood was forced to punt on its next possession, but Rogers hit a beautiful punt that would go 47 yards to the Rice 17-yard line.
Edgewood stopped Rice on three plays but the visitors surprised everyone by going for the first down on fourth-and-4 deep in their own territory.
Smart clock management by the Edgewood coaching staff stopped the clock and when Rice went for it, Dillon Parmer stuffed the Rice runner at the 20.
Edgewood took over there with just over a minute to play in the half. The Bulldogs ran a screen play, Rutter hit Levi Weaver in the middle of the field and Weaver would go to the 1.
With 29 seconds to go before halftime, Weaver scored on the next play, Bustillos added the PAT and the halftime score was 20-11.
Ruston Lewellen had a really good half of football on the defensive side with nine tackles and the entire unit allowed just 96 yards of offense in the half.
The second half started with Rice getting the ball at its 27. Three plays and minus-2 yards later, Rice was forced to punt and that was the game-changer,
Rogers fielded the short punt at his own 48 and made the athletic return for the TD and what essentially ended the game for Rice. Rogers went to his right side and when Rice looked as if they had him hemmed in at about the 20, he cut back and outran everyone to the left side.
Bustillos’ PAT made it 27-11 with 9:42 to go in the third.
Rice went nowhere on its second series and punted again, this time to the Edgewood 47. A holding penalty on second down moved the Bulldogs back to the 41.
Then, Rutter would hit Hinton on the rollout pass at about the 45 and Hinton did the rest running through defenders for a 59-yard TD reception. Bustillos’ PAT was good and the score was now 34-11 with 4:52 in the third.
Rice would start this time at its own 23. After earning a first down, Rice’s Davis would go to his right but Jacob Sharf forced a fumble and Tre’ Wright recovered at the Rice 34.
Three plays later, Rutter hit Rogers from 20 yards out for a touchdown, and Bustillos would add the PAT again to bring the score to 41-11 with 38 seconds to go in the third.
Rice would take over at its 25 and, on third down, Tre Wright and Kiin Tuma blitzed the middle of the line, forcing another fumble that was recovered by Lewellen at the Rice 20.
This time Gabe Milton would get all three plays on the 20-yard drive and score from the 1. Bustillos’ PAT closed out the scoring.
The Edgewood defense at this point had allowed Rice only 41 yards on 23 plays and forced two fumbles. Edgewood would allow a total of 88 yards in the half as they began to clear the sideline with the reserves getting some action.
Rice suffered a key injury when QB Kenneth Hart was down for several minutes and eventually walked off the field but did not return.
However, Edgewood controlled the game prior to his departure. Ruston Lewellen made sure that Rice did not run the ball with his 13 tackles, two for a loss, and a fumble recovery.
Rutter was back to form with 8-for-11 passing, two TDs and no interceptions. Hinton had three catches for 95 yards and a TD and Rogers added 115 total yards and two TDs. Weaver added two touchdowns while Jacob Sharf was the leading rusher on the night with six carries for 44 yards.
Edgewood still has to win out to make the playoffs. Mildred beat Blooming Grove 31-13. Mildred has already lost to Malakoff and Kerens, which had a bye on Friday, has yet to lose in district play.