Sports
Party Crashers: Garland wrecks Rowlett's homecoming in 26-21 win
Courtesy photo
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@starlocalnews.com
Garland rode a standout performance from junior quarterback Carvontez Gates to a 26-21 victory against Rowlett on Friday at Homer B. Johnson Stadium. In the process, the Owls spoiled Rowlett's homecoming and lined up their second consecutive district win.
Gates churned out 306 yards of offense split between the 101 yards and a touchdown he threw for on 11-of-16 passing (69 percent) and the 205 yards he rushed for on 23 carries. Almost half of his yards on the ground came on one play – an 84-yard rush in the second quarter that came with Garland pinned on its own one yard line after a Rowlett punt.
“They were just sneaking it out,” said Kiff Hardin, Rowlett head football coach. “We converged and [Gates] just squirted out on us. It's just one of those deals. It was just a big pile of bodies and he squirted out on us.”
That run put the Owls in position to sneak in one last score before the half, and Gates completed the drive by tossing a five-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Evans with just seconds left on the clock. That score pushed Garland further ahead, 17-7, and helped them outlast a late surge from the Eagles.
After trailing the majority of the game, Rowlett took the lead in the fourth quarter when senior quarterback Carson Hyles dropped a 45-yard touchdown pass into the hands of senior wideout Chris Heath for a 21-20 advantage.
Hyles threw for 192 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 13-of-21 passing (62 percent) in the loss. The Eagles gained 373 yards of total offense compared to Garland's 417 yards and had just four penalties on the night.
That fourth quarter touchdown was the second time Hyles had beaten Garland deep, as he connected with senior wide receiver Jonathan Williams on a 72-yard pass in the first quarter to give Rowlett a 7-3 lead. The Owls responded with two touchdown in the second quarter, and they continued to answer the Eagles throughout Friday's contest.
When the Eagles opened the second half with a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown rush on a direct snap to senior running back Jalen Rhodes – who rushed for 100 yards on the night – Garland responded with a 24-yard field goal from Emanuel Vertiz to push its lead to 20-14.
And when the Eagles took a one-point lead courtesy of Hyles' lengthy touchdown strike in the fourth quarter, the Owls traded failed possessions with them before taking advantage of a short field after a Rowlett turnover on downs to reestablish their lead.
Garland put together a six-play, 51-yard drive to score the go-ahead touchdown on a seven-yard carry from running back Jaharrad Haskins. After a failed two-point conversion, the Owls lead 26-21 with just over two minutes left in the game.
That was enough time for one more Rowlett drive, but an interception on a desperate throw on third-and-11 ended any chance of a rally. Garland ran out the clock on its ensuing possession to keep its district record perfect and move into a tie with South Garland for first place in 11-5A.
“There was some plays we didn't make along the way, but we fought hard and the guys came a long way,” Hardin said. “We had an opportunity in the fourth quarter, and I'm proud of the kids for their effort. We've just got to take care of some things.”
Friday's loss was the second in a row for Rowlett, which was shutout by Rockwall-Heath, 45-0, last week. The Eagles are now 0-1 in district. They'll be back in action Friday when they take on Sachse at 7:30 p.m. at William's Stadium.
“We've got to stay locked in on what we want to do,” Hardin said. “The kids do a good job of that. They know what's important and there's a lot of football to be played in this district. It's a very even district. I think there are five teams that will be right in the hunt, so we just have to go take care of our business and play hard.”
Gates churned out 306 yards of offense split between the 101 yards and a touchdown he threw for on 11-of-16 passing (69 percent) and the 205 yards he rushed for on 23 carries. Almost half of his yards on the ground came on one play – an 84-yard rush in the second quarter that came with Garland pinned on its own one yard line after a Rowlett punt.
“They were just sneaking it out,” said Kiff Hardin, Rowlett head football coach. “We converged and [Gates] just squirted out on us. It's just one of those deals. It was just a big pile of bodies and he squirted out on us.”
That run put the Owls in position to sneak in one last score before the half, and Gates completed the drive by tossing a five-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Evans with just seconds left on the clock. That score pushed Garland further ahead, 17-7, and helped them outlast a late surge from the Eagles.
After trailing the majority of the game, Rowlett took the lead in the fourth quarter when senior quarterback Carson Hyles dropped a 45-yard touchdown pass into the hands of senior wideout Chris Heath for a 21-20 advantage.
Hyles threw for 192 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 13-of-21 passing (62 percent) in the loss. The Eagles gained 373 yards of total offense compared to Garland's 417 yards and had just four penalties on the night.
That fourth quarter touchdown was the second time Hyles had beaten Garland deep, as he connected with senior wide receiver Jonathan Williams on a 72-yard pass in the first quarter to give Rowlett a 7-3 lead. The Owls responded with two touchdown in the second quarter, and they continued to answer the Eagles throughout Friday's contest.
When the Eagles opened the second half with a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown rush on a direct snap to senior running back Jalen Rhodes – who rushed for 100 yards on the night – Garland responded with a 24-yard field goal from Emanuel Vertiz to push its lead to 20-14.
And when the Eagles took a one-point lead courtesy of Hyles' lengthy touchdown strike in the fourth quarter, the Owls traded failed possessions with them before taking advantage of a short field after a Rowlett turnover on downs to reestablish their lead.
Garland put together a six-play, 51-yard drive to score the go-ahead touchdown on a seven-yard carry from running back Jaharrad Haskins. After a failed two-point conversion, the Owls lead 26-21 with just over two minutes left in the game.
That was enough time for one more Rowlett drive, but an interception on a desperate throw on third-and-11 ended any chance of a rally. Garland ran out the clock on its ensuing possession to keep its district record perfect and move into a tie with South Garland for first place in 11-5A.
“There was some plays we didn't make along the way, but we fought hard and the guys came a long way,” Hardin said. “We had an opportunity in the fourth quarter, and I'm proud of the kids for their effort. We've just got to take care of some things.”
Friday's loss was the second in a row for Rowlett, which was shutout by Rockwall-Heath, 45-0, last week. The Eagles are now 0-1 in district. They'll be back in action Friday when they take on Sachse at 7:30 p.m. at William's Stadium.
“We've got to stay locked in on what we want to do,” Hardin said. “The kids do a good job of that. They know what's important and there's a lot of football to be played in this district. It's a very even district. I think there are five teams that will be right in the hunt, so we just have to go take care of our business and play hard.”
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