Lewis fuels Rockets’ rally over Buffaloes
Channeling his inner Derrick Henry, Judson senior running back De’anthony Lewis powered for 252 yards on 35 carries to lead the Rockets to a 34-28 come-frombehind victory against Clemens on Thursday at Rutledge Stadium.
While he didn’t toss anyone aside like the Titans running back did when he stiff-armed the Bills’ Josh Norman on Tuesday, the hard-to-tackle Lewis carried enough defenders with him that enabled the Rockets to climb back from a 14-0 hole.
Lewis tallied two scores — one on the ground and one through the air. He was effective running inside, often dragging tacklers with him.
The third-ranked Rockets improved to 2-1overall and 2-0indistrict 27-6A. The second ranked Buffaloes drop to 2-1 and 0-1.
Lewis’ 38-yard scoring run in the final minute of the third quarter gave the Rockets a 21-14 lead, their first of the game.
Clemens drove to the Rockets’ 1 on the next series. After struggling for two quarters, Buffaloes quarterback Max Didomenico completed passes of 37, 15 and 12 yards to move to the 1.
Following an incompletion, DiDomenico tried to sneak in twice, fumbling awayonthe last attempt.
Judson responded by taking it the other way for a 99-yard drive that led to quarterback Michael Burroughs’ 60-yard score on a keeper and a 27-14 lead.
The Rockets and Buffaloes traded touchdowns over the next three drives with Didomenico tossing scores of 18 yards each. Burroughs added a 7-yard running TD.
Judson wrested momentum its way late in the first half after it looked like Clemens was ready to run away early.
Clemens marched 70 yards on 13 plays on the opening drive and took a 7-0 lead when Didomenico connected with Kade Powasnik in the end zone for a 24-yard score on fourth-and-8. Clemens tallied five of the six first-half first downs on that drive.
The Buffaloes took over on Judson’s 21on its next possession after the Rockets lost 28 yards on a bad snap on a punt attempt.
Clemens didn’t take advantage with three incompletions fol
lowed by a sack by linebacker Donnie Moody on fourth down.
The Buffaloes turned away a big scoring chance when the Rockets drove to the Clemens 4. Jeremiah Levitt scooped a fumble on the Buffaloes’ 16 and returned it 84
yards for a score to make it 14-0 in the middle of the second quarter.
Judson climbed back late in the first half when Lewis scored on a 28-yard catch-and-run to cut Clemens’ lead to 14-7 at the 4:06 mark.
Rockets linebacker Treylin Payne picked off Didomenico and scored from 55 yards on the ensuing series to tie it at 14.