Rusk falls to 'Old Blue' 61-0
LELAND ACKER
Rusk's glimmer of hope following a 25-15 victory over the Center Roughriders was quickly quenched the moment the Crockett Bulldogs took the field. Crockett came into the game with a 6-3 record, 2-2 in district, with their playoff plans in jeopardy following a 45-28 loss to Diboll. The Bulldogs let it be known early that they were not in the business of letting Rusk back in the door as they played to a 61-0 victory over the Eagles.

LELAND ACKER

Back on the Rusk sideline, the disarray of the Mabank game resurfaced as starting quarterback Demarcus Skinner, who was standing in for Michael Katon, was injured following a brutal hit on a kickoff return with just under 6:14 left to play in the first quarter. Katon took the field for a couple of series after that, but was unable to keep it up due to a wrist injury.

While the Eagles struggled to get a quarterback into a rhythm, the Bulldogs dialed the score up to 21-0 with 10:47 left to play in the second quarter. Eagle Head Football Coach Wayne Mahaffey turned to Jared Colville to call the signals on the field. Colville had entered two-adays in August as the starting quarterback, but was replaced by Skinner for the Mabank game, who was then replaced by Katon prior to the Gladewater game.

Horrace Lewis carries the ball during the Eagles' 61-0 loss to the Crockett Bulldogs Friday. Lewis, a senior, was a third-year letterman for the Eagles.

Colville got started by throwing two interceptions, but then rushed for 29 yards on four plays to help the Eagles begin earning first downs. The drive sputtered when the Eagles took to the air.

Crockett advances to a 7-3, 3-2 record while Rusk falls to 2-8, 1-4. Rusk will return 16 lettermen next season, six of which are two-way starters. Players to watch for the coming years will be Ricky Rojo (sophomore kicker), Katon (sophomore quarterback), Trent Vaught (junior defensive end, full back and receiver), Andrew Tucker (junior linebacker), Marcell Johnson (sophomore running back), John Trotter (sophomore lineman), Taj Cleaver (sophomore lineman), Nick Bradshaw, (junior lineman), Matt Freiderich (junior lineman), Reggie Dickson (sophomore lineman) and Quinn Anthony (junior defensive end, full back and lineman).

Jared l Colville (12) runs the ball after stepping into the position of quarterback against Crockett Friday. Colville, originally pencilled in as the starting quarterback, relinquished his role earlier in the season to focus on playing defense. Colville, a senior and third-year letterman, went all-district last year as a cornerback.

Key graduating players include Skinner, Chance Cleaver (who missed much of the season due to injury), Colville, Cody Daniel, J.J. Session, Horrace Lewis, Matthew Davis, Keith Lewis and Kenny Trotter.

Andrew k Tucker (30) tries to evade Crockett defenders as the Eagles fall to the Bulldogs 61-0 at Eagle Stadium Friday. Tucker, who normally plays linebacker, is one of the Eagle defense leaders in tackles. PHOTOS: LYNN LITTLEJOHN