BY NOLAN RUTH
X – @RealNolanRuth
BROCK— In one of the most anticipated matchups of the week in class 4A, the Brock Eagles and Aubrey Chaparrals played each other like two heavyweights eager to prove their standing as a top contender.
Despite the pomp and circumstance leading up to the game, and the fireworks during the game, it was anything but pretty.
The teams combined for 30 penalties for a total of 294 yards.
One saving grace for the Eagles was the fact they did not turn the ball over, while also creating three turnovers.
“That’s a great football team,” Brock head coach Billy Mathis said of his opponent. “We had some good breaks at times, we’ve got to clean some stuff up but I was proud of our toughness and winning the line of scrimmage over, and over, and over.”
The first half saw back and forth scoring. Aubrey took the opening drive 64 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown on a pass from Brock Temple to Jeremiah Harper to take an early 7-0 lead. It took almost no time for the Eagles to drive down to the one yard line, setting up Brody Woods to tie the game on a quarterback sneak.
The score was tied at seven at the end of the first quarter. Then on the opening play of the second quarter, Bryer McDonald powered his way in from three yards out to give Brock a 14-7 lead.
The Chaparrals responded on the ensuing drive. Despite penalties hindering their progress, Temple was able to find Tyler Brown down the seam from 29 yards out. However the extra point was no good and the score remained 14-13.
Once again, the Eagles were able to deliver a counter-blow. Coty Farmer took a handoff up the middle and, despite his small stature, ran through a defender as he fell across the goal line for the 13-yard touchdown.
Farmer carried the ball 13 times for 106 yards and a touchdown in the winning effort.
Aubrey had one last chance in the half, but Jesse Rusinek made a fantastic one-handed interception just before time expired with the score at 21-13.
After going three-and-out to open the second half, the Brock defense regained momentum with another interception by Colt Matlock. The offense stalled in the red zone, but Brayden Hamel connected on a 28-yard field goal.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Brody Woods stood in the pocket under immense pressure and lofted the ball in the air to a wide open Mason Riddle in the end zone to make the Eagle lead 31-13.
Woods had a big night, going 8-16 for 81 yards and a touchdown, and rushing 16 times for 58 yards and another score.
With just minutes left, McDonald found paydirt for his second time of the night to officially put the game on ice 38-13.
McDonald finished with 60 yards rushing on 11 carries and a pair of scores.
“We go in and pride ourselves on being the toughest dudes out here,” Mathis said postgame. “The toughest team is going to win, and tonight we were the toughest team. The third and fourth quarter we just leaned on the O-line and the running game was great and we just kept pounding it.”
Brock (3-0) will look to continue its early season dominance at home next Friday against Fort Worth Southwest (1-1). Aubrey (2-1) will return home and face Van Alstyne (1-2) next week before opening district play the week after.
