Gregory, 'Riders run over Diboll 8th
action Thursday night at Roughrider Stadium. (Photo by John
Krueger)
CENTER -- Center's Chavis Gregory punished the Diboll 8th grade defense Thursday night by plowing his way for 121 yards on just five carries as the Roughriders handed Diboll an early 6-0 lead and then took charge and rolled to a 24-6 win here at Roughrider Stadium.
The 'Riders ran only seven offensive plays all night as the coaches tried to minimize the damage to the already rain-soaked stadium field. But the limited opportunities were more than enough for the Roughriders as they put three touchdowns on the board, while rolling up 119 yards. CMS averaged 17 yards per play.
On the other side of the ball, Center's defense manhandled the Lumberjacks, limiting them to just 45 total yards, including 29 yards on the ground.
The game didn't look as if it was going to be a cakewalk for the 'Riders when it started. Diboll took the opening kickoff back 68 yards and then found the endzone five plays later. The try for the 2-point conversion failed, but DMS led 6-0 with 1:40 remaining in the opening stanza.
Center then hit back, using most of the second quarter to retaliate and take the lead. Kiounis Williams returned the kickoff 46 yards to give CMS some momentum. The excellent field position turned into points for the Roughriders as they scored six plays and 28 yards later. Williams took the pitch from the quarterback and scored from the four around right end. Gregory added the two-point conversion around left end for an 8-6 lead with 1:57 left in the half.
Neither team scored until the third quarter when the 'Riders took the kickoff and quickly put the ball in the endzone. After an off-sides penalty on Diboll, Gregory found a gaping hole that his offensive line had opened up in the middle of the Diboll defense and he didn't stop running until he was in the endzone 46 yards later. Gregory also added the 2-point conversion and the CMS lead was 16-6 with 3:07 showing on the third quarter clock.
The Lumberjacks picked up one first down on their next drive, but they coughed up the ball and Lacurvy Barnes was there to pounce on the ball for Center with 4:22 remaining in the contest.
Gregory took the handoff on the right side on the first play from scrimmage, cut back against the pursuit and scored on a 57-yard run. He went off right tackle for the 2-point conversion and the final score was in with 3:08 remaining.
Diboll had one last chance to score, but the final play of the game was an incomplete pass in the endzone.
Center will return to action next Thursday when the Roughriders travel to Rusk. The seventh grade will play at 5 p.m., followed by the eighth grade.