It’s not the Ball, so what is it now?

RYCA Rockwall Jackets Dominate HHCA Heath Hawks… Again 28-0

In last week’s RYCA Rockwall Nebbie Jackets 6th Grade win over the HHCA Heath Hawks a complaint was made about the size of the ball that was used.  Unfounded statements were made saying the football in question was not regulation size.  That game ended up with a 33-0 RYCA Rockwall Jacket win over the HHCA Heath Hawks at Wisdom Field in Rockwall, Texas.

 Game 2 was almost the same story just a different ball.  The RYCA Nebbie Jackets made the decision to use the HHCA Heath Hawks football the entire game just to make sure there wasn’t another complaint questioning the legitimacy of another Rockwall Football victory.  The game took place at Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas.

About 20 minutes before game time a Texas cold front blew in dropping the temperature 20 degrees.  The addition of rain kept the weaker fans (Not RYCA Rockwall Fans) from seeing a strong performance by the RYCA Nebbie Jackets.

On the opening kickoff, Jackets kick returner; Cody Rollins ran back the Hawks ball for 70 yards for the game’s first score.  That was as close to a tie as the Hawks would be for the rest of the game.  After the Jackets’ defense stopped the Hawks’ offense, holding them to a loss of yardage, starting quarterback Tyler Ashworth ran in for a 20 yard touchdown.  However, Tyler had to come out of the game with an injury and would not reenter the game.

Tanner Webb stepped up as the quarterback for the remainder of the game throwing his first pass to Brendon Murray for an extra point score.

Again, the defense continued to stop the Hawks drives time after time.  The HHCA Heath Hawks ended up with 2 first downs, but a net loss of yardage for the game.  The Jacket defense was stifling as they intercepted a pass, caused three fumbles, and recovered two.  Strong play by Outside Linebacker, Tanner Webb frustrated the Hawks as did great coverage by cornerbacks, Zach Elsey, Jaxon Rife, and Chase Burkey.  Hard hitting Middle Linebacker, Joseph Schaefer helped inspire the Jacket defense shoring up the middle and controlling the field of play.

The offensive attack also included a perfectly thrown ball from Tanner Webb to Chase Burkey in the back of the end zone as well as a hard 10 yard run by Webb to put the game out of hand for the Hawks.  Lake Johnson contributed with an extra point kick as well.

It is always an emotional game when Rockwall Jackets face the Heath Hawks as both are crosstown rivals.  This rivalry starts when the kids are young and continues through high school and beyond.  The emotions were especially high after Heath High School lost to Rockwall High School 24-20 in the District Opening game in late September.  The HHCA Heath Hawks are fighting for one of the final playoff spots, and the RYCA Rockwall Jackets (5-1) can secure the 1st seed if they win the final two games of their season.  If this happens then a first round playoff matchup will take place between these two teams.  Hopefully the talk of foul play will subside, and the boys can just play youth football. 

The bottom line is that the RYCA Rockwall Jackets were better prepared to play the HHCA Heath Hawks in adverse conditions no matter which ball was used, what stadium they played in, or what the temperature was outside.  The RYCA Rockwall Jackets Nebbie 6th grade team upended the HHCA Heath Hawks 28-0 on October 5, 2013.