CYPRESS, Texas — Rockdale rode a fast start in the first half to upend the Yoakum Bulldogs 31-21 in the Class 3A Division I state semifinals. With the win, the Tigers advance to their first state championship game since winning the 1976 title. They will face the Brock Eagles (13-2), who defeated the Kemp Yellowjackets 49-21 on Thursday night in Arlington.
Quarterback Torry Locklin stepped up yet again for the Tigers, scoring on a 57-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. He would later add touchdown runs of 63 and 1 yard on the night. Yoakum would get on the board in the first quarter, thanks to a 1-yard run from quarterback Holden Lauer.
Rockdale ATH JaQualyn Crawford (James Ellis/TexasHSFootball)
Oklahoma commit JaQualyn Crawford would add a 3-yard touchdown run of his own to give the Tigers a 28-7 to lead heading into the half. Even with the deficit, the Bulldogs would not go down fighting thanks to the efforts of Texas A&M commit Jordan Moore.
Lauer found Moore on an 8-yard strike in the third quarter to cut into the Tiger lead. Moore would add a 38-yard touchdown run to bring the Bulldogs back within a score late. Rockdale, to their credit, answered the call to come up with a score.
Yoakum ATH Jordan Moore tried to rally the Bulldogs with two touchdowns in the second half against Rockdale on Friday night. (File Photo: Prentice James/TexasHSFootball)
But Rockdale kicker Luis Iruegas would knock in a 24-yard field goal to put the game out of reach for the Bulldogs. Yoakum finishes their season at 13-2 overall.
The win keeps the Tigers (12-3) magical playoff run going after ending the regular season 7-3. They will face Brock in the Class 3A Division I state championship game at 3 p.m. CST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
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