Smyrna's Michael Robinson returns a touchdown 99 yards for a touchdown against Rockvale Thursdsay night at Rockvale. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna's Thomas Jones hurdles a defender as Rockvale's Gavin Deery tries to trip him up. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna running back Arion Carter (11) scores a touchdown as Rockvale's Jabari Frierson (10) tries to punch the ball out. DAVID RUSSELL
Rockvale's DJ Thornton picks up a nice gain against Smyrna. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna safety Thomas Jones (23) intercepts a pass intended for Rockvale's Jaylan Morgan (2) and runs it back for a touchdown. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna's Michael Robinson returns a touchdown 99 yards for a touchdown against Rockvale Thursdsay night at Rockvale. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna's Thomas Jones hurdles a defender as Rockvale's Gavin Deery tries to trip him up. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna running back Arion Carter (11) scores a touchdown as Rockvale's Jabari Frierson (10) tries to punch the ball out. DAVID RUSSELL
Rockvale's DJ Thornton picks up a nice gain against Smyrna. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna safety Thomas Jones (23) intercepts a pass intended for Rockvale's Jaylan Morgan (2) and runs it back for a touchdown. DAVID RUSSELL
Smyrna improved to 2-0 on the season, taking advantage of three interceptions for touchdowns in a 33-12 victory at Rockvale Thursday night in a game that lasted three hours and featured 25 penalties for 225 yards.
It was a defensive slugfest for the most part, but the difference was the Bulldogs' three defensive touchdowns, two of which belonged to Thomas Jones on interception returns of 45 and 48 yards.
“It’s all about momentum,” Jones said. “Our energy was low and there wasn’t a lot of people moving around on offense or defense. We kept getting stuffed three-and-out. But one play like that can change a game at any moment.”
Rockvale dominated the game in terms of yardage, especially in the first half as it held the Bulldogs under 100 yards. However, offensively the Rockets had only a 3-0 lead to show for it despite three red-zone trips and 240 yards in the half.
“That’s a good football team,” Rockvale coach Brian Guthrie said. “You can’t turn the ball over five or six times against a good team or you are not going to win. That’s what it comes down to.
“We played lights out on defense (in the first half). We played our tails off. But we got down inside the 10 four times and only got one field goal. Defense kept us in the game, but we couldn’t do the things on offense.”
The Rockets weren’t even able to claim a halftime lead as Smyrna used it’s first pick 6 just before half when Michael Robinson snagged a Brennan Mayhew pass at the one and returned it 99 yards for the score and a 7-3 halftime lead.
The Rockets came out ready, though, and despite a muffed opening return and starting the second half at their own one, were driving and approaching midfield. But with Mayhew sidelined for a play, backup Malachai Telin tossed Jones his first interception, and from there the game crumbled for Rockvale.
Consecutive fumbles by the Rockets led to short field position and back-to-back Arion Carter touchdowns and a 27-3 Bulldog lead with 1:08 left in the third. Carter finished with 83 yards rushing to lead Smyrna.
Rockvale was able to fight back into the game, and midway through the fourth was within 15 at 27-12, with the ball and the momentum.
That is until Jones snagged his second pick-6 and put the game away for the Bulldogs.
“Same thing with the momentum switch,” Jones said. “They still had a chance with the hurry-up offense. But when you shut down the offense like that, you take away their power and come out on top.”
7:12 1Q ROCK Eban Braiser 27 yard FG
3:08 2Q SM Michael Robinson 99 yard interception return, Trace Petrilli PAT
11:08 3Q SM Thomas Jones 48 yard interception return
1:46 3Q SM Arion Carter 5 yard run, Trace Petrilli PAT
1:08 3Q SM Arion Carter 27 yard run, Trace Petrilli PAT
10:50 4Q ROCK DJ Thornton 10 yard pass from Brennan Mayhew
7:00 4Q ROCK Eban Braiser 40 yard FG
2:31 4Q SM Thomas Jones 45 yard interception return
Mostly sunny. High 91F. Winds light and variable..
Mainly clear skies. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
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