Ernest Smith ran for 134 yards and scored four touchdowns, including the winner in the fourth overtime, as Roosevelt edged Madison 45-43 in a District 28-6A opener Friday night at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
Smith said he remembered last season’s playoff loss to Madison vividly. "Last year, they took our playoff game away from us," he said. "I knew we had to come in here and get it back."
The game started fast. Madison struck first as senior quarterback Brady Eggleston connected with Jaleel Lowery for a 38-yard gain, setting up Decoreion McMillian’s touchdown run on the opening drive. Roosevelt responded immediately after recovering an unsuccessful onside kick. Smith burst through the defense for a 31-yard run, then junior Xavion Chambers scored a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game.
Madison pulled ahead 21-7 behind two touchdowns from McMillian and a 23-yard strike from Eggleston to Lowery. Roosevelt answered with back-to-back scoring drives in the second quarter, both ending with Smith’s short touchdown runs, leveling the score at 21 at halftime.
The second half saw Madison regain the lead on a 28-yard touchdown run by Elijah Brito. Roosevelt’s Chambers then broke free for a 51-yard run, setting up Smith’s third touchdown from three yards out. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for an extended overtime battle.
Roosevelt struck first in overtime, with Smith powering in from five yards. Madison matched with McMillian’s 21-yard touchdown run. In double overtime, Chambers found junior Dartanyon Brown for a 4-yard touchdown, and Madison responded with Brito’s 8-yard run.
Neither team converted their two-point attempts in the third overtime. Roosevelt turned to Smith again in the fourth overtime, and he pushed through for the winning touchdown. The Rough Riders then stopped Madison’s final drive, denying McMillian a chance to even the score.
Coach Darnell Barnes praised Smith’s work ethic and the offensive line’s effort against a strong Madison defensive front. "Ernest Smith is one of the hardest-working kids on this team," Barnes said. "In the summer, he worked out every day, of course, in our offseason, but he also goes to speed training. He just wants to be a really good football player."
Barnes also acknowledged the team’s preparation for situational play. "We work on practice all the time. We talk about situational football. We practice overtime, two-minute drill. We don’t practice three overtimes or four overtimes, but as you can see, we needed it to win tonight."
The win gave Roosevelt a 1-0 start in district play and improved their overall record to 2-2, while Madison fell to 3-1 and 0-1 in the district.
According to Yahoo Sports.
