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Season Saver: Rowlett gets much-needed victory over Naaman Forest
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
During the last several years, no team in Garland ISD has shown the ability to elevate its level of play down the stretch like Rowlett.
It is one of the chief reasons why the Eagles have made the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons.
But entering Thursday's game against Naaman Forest, that streak was in serious jeopardy. Three consecutive losses to start the 11-5A season put Rowlett in a situation where it likely needs to win the remainder of its games.
Rowlett, which snapped a five-game losing streak overall, improves to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in district play. Naaman Forest, which had taken the lead in the playoff race with back-to-back wins, fell to 2-6 and 2-2.
The Eagles have had their share of bad luck in recent weeks. Rowlett led in the fourth quarter against Rockwall, Lake Highlands, Garland and Sachse only to watch as its opponent scored late to steal away the win.
So when a chance to build a comfortable lead presented itself on Thursday, the Eagles jumped on it.
Naaman Forest fumbled the ball away three times in the first half and an opportunistic Rowlett offense turned those miscues into a commanding 28-0 halftime lead.
The Rangers' first turnover came on the fourth play of the game, with the Eagles recovering at their own 36-yard line.
Derrick Imade, who is taking on a larger role in the backfield with starter Jalen Rhodes out for the season with an injury, capped a nine-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run for an early 7-0 lead.
Rowlett extended its lead later in the first on a 3-yard scoring pass from Carson Hyles to Corey Manges and made it 21-0 less than a minute into the second on another short touchdown run from Imade.
To make matters worse for Naaman Forest, starting quarterback Justin Walker left the game in the first quarter with an injury and did not return.
Midway through the second, the Eagles marched 83 yards in nine plays, with Hyles scoring on an 11-yard touchdown run that made it 28-0.
Hyles was not finished, as he added another short scoring run early in the third quarter to push the advantage to 34-0. The four rushing touchdowns were a good sign for Rowlett, especially with the injury to Rhodes. Imade finished with 124 yards on 24 carries, Hyles had 49 yards and two scores and Nigel Hasty provided some quality runs in the second half.
Naaman Forest did get on the scoreboard late in the third quarter on a touchdown pass from Juwan Saddler to Kenny Netters but that would be all the Eagles would allow.
Aspen Hulme kicked a 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to provide the final margin.
While Rowlett was feeling good following the win, they understand their road back to the playoffs is far from over. But the victory does make that postseason vision much clearer with games against North Garland on Friday and Lakeview on Nov. 9.
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