Coming off a big blowout last week, the Rough Riders found themselves fighting for dear life. At the end of the first quarter the no. 1 team in the city, the MacArthur Brahmas, looked like the best team going up 14-0 before the half. But coming in to the second half, the Rough Riders changed the advantage around and scored 21 straight unanswered points to lead by seven. But the Brahmas led by running back Darik Dillard (120 rushing yards, two touchdowns) rallied back to tie the game up at 21. On the pursuing drive, the Rough Riders had the game won going up, 28-21, on a rushing touchdown from 22 yards out made by Davontae Jackson, senior.
The Brahmas had a plan of their own marching down the field. The Brahmas started on first down and 25 yards thanks to a sack by Quinton Bradley, senior, delivering a devastating blow to the Brahmas quarterback. With the game on the line, MacArthur quarterback, Clinton Killough, threw to the endzone. Picked off by Leland Young, senior, the clock ran out and the Rough Riders knocked off the no. 1 team in the city – or so they thought. A late flag was thrown on the play, passing interference on cornerback Everett Warrick, senior, resulting with the ball being placed on the 1-yard line.
Killough dropped back and threw a pass to MacArthur wide receiver, David Eberwine, for a touchdown to send the game into overtime. Roosevelt won the coin toss, but Coach Neal Lahue decided to defer and give the Brahmas the ball on the 35-yard line. A nine play, 3-yard touchdown run by Dillard put the Brahmas up by six, but a bad snap made them try to go for a two point conversion. Warrick stopped MacArthur in their tracks.
Now the Rough Riders turned things around, on a 4th down and seven high pass from Sean Alonzo, senior, to Domonique Davis, senior, with a turn around catch to keep the drive alive. Four plays later, Alonzo takes it in for the go ahead score to tie the game up at 34. On a chance to end the game and shock the district, Deric Eldridge, senior, ends the game and Roosevelt rolls on to win by one point, 35-34.
