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PREVIEW: Rockwall and South Grand Prairie prepare to face-off
In their final non-district games of the season, the South Grand Prairie Warriors and the Rockwall Yellowjackets are geared up to face each other. VYPE DFW looks at these two teams and what fans can expect heading into this matchup:
South Grand Prairie Warriors (0-3)
The Warriors have had a rocky start to the 2023 football season. In week one, the team traveled to Arlington ready to go up against Mansfield Timberview and fell 35-0. Week two saw a lot of fight out of the Warriors as they hosted Coppell. Despite incredible effort on both sides of the ball, South Grand Prairie fell 44-34. Last week, South Grand Prairie stayed home to host Mansfield and lost 49-29.
Looking to pick up steam and secure their first victory this season, athletes like Austin Delay, Jaden Stanley, Leo Morris, Cahmari Anderson, Ahmad Jenkins, Xavier Farrow, Tory Jacobs, and others are ready to put in whatever work necessary to succeed on Thursday night.
Rockwall Yellowjackets (2-1)
Rockwall has made some big waves already this season. In week one, the team posted a 56-21 victory over Cedar Hill. Week two saw a 60-59, hard-fought battle against Dallas Jesuit in which the Yellowjackets lost. Last week, the Yellowjackets overcame adversity as they stunned state-ranked Prosper with a 47-41 victory in front of a home crowd. This week, they're looking to start a hot streak before entering district play.
Led by Devin Knox, Ashten Emory, Tanner Hart, Hayden Curey, Brady Sanders, Matthew Young, Sebastian Moyer, Mason Marshall, Neville Mah, Ethan McCrillis, and more, this team has what it takes to put up a battle and come out victorious against their opponents this season.
What To Expect
Last year, South Grand Prairie put up a battle and showcased tremendous effort on the field, but came up short against Rockwall in a 38-31 Yellowjackets victory. The Warriors are going to do whatever it takes this season to try to put a stop to Rockwall and post an upset in Rockwall. Riding a high and knowing their capabilities, Rockwall is focused and determined to finish non-district play on a high note. Fans can expect this team to fight through every moment on the field to shut down the Warriors.
Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. on Thursday in front of a home crowd.
Rockwall Yellowjackets stun Prosper Eagles
Some of the biggest moments that athletes never forget are the times when someone told them they couldn't but they did anyway. In week three of Texas High School Football, there were plenty of naysayers for the state-ranked Prosper vs. Rockwall pairing; those that believed Rockwall didn't have the fight that it took to take down the Eagles. The Yellowjackets showcased tremendous talent as they posted a stunning 47-41 victory over Prosper.
Combining for 240 total passing yards, Landyn Locke and Mason Marshall helped lead the Yellowjackets to victory on Friday night. Setting the tone early in the game, Marshall completed a 61-yard pass to Triston Gooch and kicked off the scoring. Prosper was quick to respon with two touchdowns of their own: a 9-yard rush from Nathan TenBarge followed by a 20-yarder to the house from Lathan Latiolais. As Prosper held Rockwall to field goals for their next two scores while scoring a touchdown between the two, it looked as though the Eagles' defense had picked up everything they needed to know about this Yellowjackets' offense. Marshall took it into his own hands as he rushed for a touchdown and went for the two-point conversion tying the game at 21-a-piece with a minute left in the first half. Stepping up on the defensive end of the ball, the Yellowjackets forced Prosper to punt allowing Rockwall to take back over just before halftime. Finding excellent field position, a field goal was up and good leaving Rockwall ahead of Prosper 24-21 headed into halftime.
Back-and-forth big plays adorned the second half of action for these two DFW-area powerhouse squads. Prosper scoring early in the third quarter with a 5-yard rush from Bryce Robinson to regain the lead despite a failed two-point conversion. Answering Prosper's score with a field goal followed by another Prosper touchdown, Rockwall's offense knew it needed big plays for the rest of the game if they were to secure an upset over a state-ranked team. Ashten Emory closed out the third quarter scoring with an 8-yard rush for a touchdown allowing Rockwall to regain a 34-33 lead.
Entering the fourth quarter with posession, Prosper scored on a 6-yard Peyton Hulett rush. Rockwall was quick to answer with a touchdown from Marshall. Momentum started to shift as the Rockwall defense gained the energy and determination to force Prosper's offense to work for it. Holding the Eagles to a Punt, Rockwall's next drive saw another touchdown from Emory followed with a completed two-point conversion to take the lead once more; 47-41 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. Prosper fumbled the kick-off return and the Yellowjackets came up with the recovery sealing their victory.
Rockwall advances to a 2-1 recor as they enter the fourth week of the season. The team will play in their final non-district game of the year against an 0-3 South Grand Prairie squad on Thursday night at 7 pm in front of a home crowd. Prosper (2-1) is set to host their first district matchup on Friday against a tough Denton Guyer (2-1) at 7 pm.