By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
The “War on 24” could’ve been the most highly anticipated matchup of the year, with the No. 1-ranked Rossville Bulldawgs traveling five miles to battle with their rival, No. 2-ranked Silver Lake.
Silver Lake had won four out of the last five appearances heading into Friday night, but Eagles couldn’t keep the hot streak going as the Bulldawgs came from behind for a 24-19 win in front of a packed house at Silver Lake.
Rossville Derrick Hammes knew Friday would be the biggest stress test of the season for the undefeated Bulldawgs, now 7-0.
“We finally were faced with some adversity,'' Hammes said. "We knew how tough this team (Silver Lake) was. We executed the game plan well and I thought we did a good job.”
Rossville senior Corey Catron flashes the No. 1 sign as he scores a touchdown in the Bulldawgs' 24-19 win over rival Silver Lake Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The defenses for both sides played a big part in the contest early.
Silver Lake was able to drive the ball down the field on the first drive of the game but Rossville denied the Eagles from scoring.
On the other side, Rossville was able to take a 3-0 lead on a 29-yard Pedro Arantes field goal on the first drive for the Bulldawgs.
In the second quarter, Rossville quarterback Torrey Horak turned up the volume. A series of quick slant passes, bubble screens, draws and option runs took the Dawgs down to Eagle territory in the middle of the second quarter.
Horak ended off the drive by running it in for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. This would give Rossville a 10-0 lead at the half.
Rossville was put in a tough situation during Friday’s contest, with Horak leaving the game due to an upper-body injury.
After the injury, Silver Lake took advantage of the situation and put up a couple of quick touchdowns to take a lead.
Silver Lake quarterback Daigan Kruger ran for two touchdowns and threw for a TD in the Eagles' 24-19 loss to Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Silver Lake quarterback Daigan Kruger and running back Brogan Renfro didn’t make life easy for the Bulldawgs, coming up with big plays to spark the Eagles' offense.
Senior running back Corey Catron stepped up to the plate for Rossville with his front five offensive linemen and went to work.
Catron stepped in to play quarterback and made clutch passes followed by huge chunk running plays to help key Rossville's win..
After Friday's heartbreaking loss, Silver Lake (5-2) will hit the road and take on a tough Pleasant Ridge (5-2) team. Rossville (7-0) will make the trip up to Mission Valley (2-5) and collide with the Vikings.
“We are looking forward to a great week of practice,'' Hammes said. "We have some work to do, but I think tonight was a step in the right direction.”
ROSSVILLE 24, SILVER LAKE 19
Rossville (7-0) 3 7 0 14 -- 24
Silver Lake (5-2) 0 0 12 7 -- 19
First quarter
Rossville -- Arantes 29 FG
Second Quarter
Rossville -- To. Horak 2 Run (Arantes kick is good)
Third Quarter
Silver Lake -- Kaniper 10 pass from Kruger (kick failed)
Silver Lake -- Kruger 18 run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
Rossville -- Brown 16 pass from Catron (2-point conversion good)
Rossville -- Catron 16 run (conversion failed)
Silver Lake -- Kruger 1 run (Feuerbacher kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATS:
Rushing -- Rossville: Catron 26-129, Horak 7-42, Brown 5-15, Barker 4-18, Hensley 1-13. Silver Lake Kruger, 22-77, Renfro, 14-63.
Passing -- Rossville: To. Horak, 7-10 34 yards, Catron, 3-5 34 yards. Silver Lake, Kruger 13-26 175 yards.
Receiving -- Rossville, Catron, 3-17, Brown, 2-27, Perine, 2-22, Hensley, 2-9. Silver Lake, Remer, 4-64, Renfro, 3-40, Kaniper, 3-31, Barnes, 2-22.
