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CEDAR HILL — Rockwall returned seemingly everyone from an offense that averaged 47.7 points per game a year ago.
Quarterback Braedyn Locke, who accounted for 40 touchdowns in 2020, returned for his senior season. Zach Hernandez, a 1,000-yard rusher, did the same as a junior.
And an experienced group looked the part in a 42-29 season-opening win over the No. 8 ranked team in the area, Cedar Hill. The offense raced past the state runner-up in 2020 behind 403 yards of offense and 280 yards rushing.
“They had a lot of respect for our passing game, so we took what they were giving us,” Rockwall coach Trey Brooks said. “The running game, the offense, was great.”
Rockwall’s offense, despite four interceptions that derailed would-be touchdowns, was efficient.
It scored on almost every drive that did not end on a turnover. The four picks — one coming on a 2nd-and-and goal from the 3-yard line — were the only thing that kept Cedar Hill in the game.
But Cedar Hill could only hang in so long. By the start of the fourth quarter, Hernandez paced a 13-play drive that ended in a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
It put Rockwall up by double digits en route to scoring 20 unanswered points in the second half.
Hernandez finished with 196 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Locke ended the night with 123 yards and four interceptions.
Cedar Hill, which lost The Dallas Morning News offensive player of the year in quarterback Kaidon Salter, could not find any rhythm with new quarterback Cedric Harden Jr.
Harden did not attempt a pass until late in the first quarter. He ran for two touchdowns — including one late in the first half that gave Cedar Hill a brief 23-22 lead going into the intermission — but only had 103 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception.
DeSoto transfer Jaylen Jenkins had 86 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“We have new guys. It’s a product of growth,” Cedar Hill coach Carlos Lynn said. “We just didn’t match the intensity.”
source: https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/football/2021/08/28/dominant-rushing-attack-propels-rockwall-past-no-8-cedar-hill-42-29/
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