Talk about an instant classic.
The teams combined for 1,179 yards of total offense and Judson quarterback Mike Chandler II scored the winning touchdown on a 5-yard run with 56 seconds left, giving the Rockets a stirring 51-48 victory Friday night at Lehnhoff Stadium.
Chandler’s TD capped a wild second half in which the teams scored nine TDs in 13 possessions, and each had a critical fourth-down stop on successive possessions in the fourth quarter.
The game, played before a crowd estimated at 8,000, was the District 26-6A opener for both teams and featured enough big plays to fill a highlight film for a season.
“We feel that we’re never out of a game,” Judson coach Rodney Williams said. “I’ve seen a lot of things from the kids that they believe in what we do.”
Judson (4-0) and Steele (3-1) entered the game No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in the KENS5.com area high school rankings. The Knights lead the series 7-3, but the Rockets have won the last three meetings. Judson was 0-4 against Steele at Lehnhoff Stadium before finally beating the Knights on their home field.
The outcome of one of the most exciting games in Greater San Antonio history wasn’t determined until Steele quarterback Wyatt Begeal’s last pass fell incomplete on a fourth-and-eight play from the Knights’ 44 with 10 seconds left.
Steele had taken a 48-44 lead on a 5-yard run by De’Quavion Thomas with 1:33 remaining. But as it turned out, the Knights left too much time on the clock for the explosive Rockets.
After a holding penalty on first down moved Judson back to its 10, Chandler connected with wide receiver Amarea Bailey-Davis for a 49-yard gain on the next play. That moved the chains to the Steele 41. Chandler hit Anthony Shelton for a 36-yard gain to the 5 and then Chandler sprinted into the end zone on the next play. Humberto Villarreal’s extra-point kick put the Rockets up 51-48.
“I didn’t want to score that fast,” Williams said. “I was hoping we’d give them the ball back with about 20 seconds. But, again, you can’t say, ‘Hold back and don’t score’ because you may not score. I wanted some more time to run off. In the end, you’ve got to go ahead and see if your defense can make a stop when they need to. And they did.”
Williams credited an intense summer strength and conditioning program supervised by Jarveon Williams, a former Judson and UTSA running back, for preparing the Rockets for the kind of challenge they faced Friday night. Williams’ program stresses balance, strength and agility.
“We have a little saying,” Williams said. “Second half, we say B.S.A (balance, strength, agility). We feel like we’re the most conditioned team in the state, and that the longer the game goes, the better we’re going to be. And that’s what I just told the kids.
“I said, ‘Believe in the workouts. Believe in the running we do every day after practice. Believe in what you all do on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, when you lift weights and run. Believe me, because this is what it’s going to take for us to do what we need to do.’”
Every coach needs a signature victory and the Rockets gave Williams, who is in his first season as Judson head coach, his on Friday night.
“Not bad,” Williams said, chuckling.
Chandler completed 5 of 11 passes for 179 yards and one TD, and rushed for 129 yards and three TDs. De'Anthony Lewis fueled Judson's running game, rushing for 229 yards and three TDs on 21 carries.
“D.A. (Lewis) is one of those guys that the more you give him the ball, the more he’s going to respond,” Williams said. “He does not shy away from contact. You’ve got to give props to the O-line. They opened up some holes for him tonight.”
The Rockets’ offensive line was manned by center Robert Rigsby, guards Jared and Jahire Campos (who are brothers) and tackles Kamron Scott and Tamorique McBrewer.
Steele lost the game despite outgaining Judson 638-541 in total offensive yardage. Begeal was outstanding, completing 23 of 29 passes for 420 yards and one TD and rushing for another score. Thomas ran for 91 yards and four TDs.
“For our young defense, this was probably the best thing that could ever happen to us,” Williams said. “They thought they were pretty invincible after last week. I told them this week, ‘Guys, you don’t realize Steele has the same talent you all have.’ I said, ‘If you go out there and don’t do what you’re supposed to do, they’re going to exploit us.’ And they did.
“We didn’t make the necessary adjustments that we should have. The coaches had it on the board (at halftime). Our kids showed their immaturity tonight. It’s a good thing. It’s good for us. We’ll look at the film and get back to work.”
Judson beat Valley power Harlingen 39-0 last week, holding the Cardinals to 161 yards.
Ahead 41-37 early in the fourth quarter, the Knights appeared to be on the verge of stretching their lead when they stopped Lewis on a fourth-and-1 at the Judson 33. Daryn McKnight gained nine yards on first down, but the Rockets threw Thomas for a 2-yard loss on the next play.
“The defense bailed us out on that one,” Williams said. “That’s what a good team is about.”
Begeal got the two yards back on third down to make it fourth-and-one. Begeal tried to get the first down on a sneak, but was held for no gain. The inspired Rockets then mounted a seven-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by Chandler’s 1-yard TD. Villarreal’s kick gave Judson a 44-41 lead with 3:38 remaining.
Williams had good things to say about Chandler and his command of the offense.
“Like I told some of the scouts today, he’s not one of those kids that’s going to put you in a bad situation,” Williams said. “He’s not going to throw the ball just to throw it. He’s not going to turn the ball over just to turn the ball over. He’s going to make the right decisions. He’s going to run when needed and he’s going to throw when needed.”
Steele took a 21-14 lead at the half on a 1-yard TD by Thomas with 4:24 left in the first half. Cameron Hawk converted his third extra-point kick.
Thomas' score capped a six-play, 67-yard drive that took only two minutes. The Knights moved to the Judson 8 on two big consecutive plays – a 34-yard pass from Begeal to Rhenden Lopez and a 22-yard gain on a reverse by McKnight.
Steele scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter. Fans were hardly settled in their seats when wide receiver Jaylon Jones stunned the Rockets with a 59-yard TD on an end-around play on the second snap of the game’s opening possession.
Judson drove to the Steele 13 on the ensuing possession, but Chandler was dropped for a 1-yard loss on third-and-four and the Rockets' missed a 31-yard field goal attempt.
Taking over at their 20, the Knights carved out a 13-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by Begeal's 21-yard TD on a quarterback draw with 3:37 left in the first period.
Judson finally got untracked on its next possession, scoring on a 1-yard run by Lewis with 2:13 left in the quarter. Lewis broke loose for a 40-yard gain on a first-down play at the Rockets' 41, moving Judson to the Steele 19.
Chandler completed a 17-yard pass to wide receiver Anthony Shelton two plays later to give Judson a first-and-goal at the 1. Lewis' TD ended a six-play, 69-yard drive with 2:13 left in the first period.
The Rockets tied the game at 14 on their next possession, with Lewis' 10-yard TD run capping an eight-play, 83-yard drive midway through the second quarter.