Yoemen looks to turn the tables with Rockdale

On Friday, the defending state champion Rockdale Tigers will be traveling to Cameron for the 64th edition of the Battle of the Bell.

Rockdale (5-2/2-1) still remains in the top 10 of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football poll at number seven while Cameron (6-1/3-0) is just one spot behind at number eight. Regardless, this game always has a different feel to it.

“It’s Rockdale and it’s always different,” said Yoe coach Tommy Brashear, who is looking for his first win versus the Tigers as a head coach. “They are all important but this one just has that more important feel to it. This place will be packed and I imagine it will be standing room only, especially when both schools are doing good. Both are two good football teams and both have state championships in recent history. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Rockdale has had their way in the series the past two years, scoring a series record 80 points in a 80-54 win two years ago followed by a second half outburst in 2017, winning 63-34. The back-to-back wins for the Tigers was the first since the 1977 and 1978 seasons, which saw Rockdale win 14-6 and 17-12. Rockale has not won three in a row since the 1966-1968 seasons.

Brashear said he has not talked a whole lot about the last two years, but has made it clear not to be intimidated by anyone.

“I did talk a little about last year when we were first handing out the scouting reports,” said the coach. “I felt like last year we were a little intimidated by Crawford and Locklin. When we were watching film, they were oohing and awing at some plays on film. I said don’t be intimidated - except the challenge. They have some good players, but let's except the challenge and let’s go take it to them and come out on top.”

Rockdale has wins over Caldwell (35-17), Lexington (29-27), Hyde Park (41-36), Manor New Tech (70-6) and Lago Vista (49-28). The Tigers did fall to Giddings (17-16) in their season opener and most recently Troy (21-17) for their first district loss of the season.

Cameron currently holds the 42-21 advantage in the Battle of the Bell series.

Offense

Rockdale took some big hits to graduation last year, losing both JaQualyn Crawford (Oklahoma) and Torry Locklin (Kansas) to graduation. Overall, a total of just 4 starters return from an offense that averaged over 41 points per ball game. That average through seven games has dropped slightly to 36.7 points per game.

It’s also key to note that Rockdale did lose their offensive coordinator in the off season. Brandon Houston is now the head coach at Buffalo, where his team sits at 7-0 and is ranked inside the top 10 of 3A DII polls.

Offensively, the Tigers are relying on a strong core of sophomores at some key positions. Quarterback Jace Robinson has completed 59 of 112 pass attempts for 1022 yards and 12 touchdown on the year. Additionally, Cam’ron Valdez (103 carries, 570 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Kesean Raven (24 carries, 324 yards, 4 touchdowns) both lead the ground attack.

“They are a young team overall,” said Brashear. “They graduated heavy last year, especially in the skills positions. They skill guys they have this year are sophomores and even freshmen. The quarterback is a sophomore and their other quarterback is a junior.”

Brashear noted that although this team can throw, he hopes that the Yoemen force them into chunking the ball a lot more than they’d like to.

“They are not scared to pass and the sophomore quarterback is an accurate passer,” Brashear said. “Last year they ran a lot with the quarterback but they are not going to do that with him as that is not his strength. He is a pocket passer and seems efficient and throws and accurate ball.”

Defense

Rockdale has a bit more returning talent on defense, where a total of 6 starters are back from the state championship squad.

The defense last season gave up an average of 23.3 points per ball game and that average is actually lower at 21.7 points per game thus far in 2018.

“Defensively they are 3-4, which we have seen,” said Brashear. “ Against Lexington, for instance, they ran a lot of cushion man coverage and brought their outside backers a whole lot. But, Lexington was a run-heavy team even though they are a spread.”

Brashear noted that Rockdale will probably mix their looks with their outside backers as the Yoemen have been more consistent at running the ball this season.

The Tigers appear to have talent across the board on the defensive line, linebacker and safety positions.

“The nose guard (Cayden McBride) will be the best one we have faced all year. Jackson Perry is a very good inside and outside backer for them and is a senior this year who is a stout, physical kid. In the secondary, Will Storey is quick and reads the quarterback's eyes well and runs to the ball well and breaks up passes.

Keys to victory

Brashear: “On the offensive side of the ball, we have to take care of the ball and execute. We have to take advantage of the chances that we get down the field in the passing game or the shots in the running game. Defensively, we need to create some turnovers and stop the run. We cannot let them run it like they want to and have them beat us in the passing game. That is my goal.”