On a special night wearing eye-catching Bobcat blue and gold alternate uniforms, Aberdeen still didn’t have enough.
Aberdeen’s homecoming was spoiled by the Rochester Warriors as the Bobcats suffered a 33-7 defeat on Friday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.
The young, inexperienced Bobcats lineup struggled against their former 2A Evergreen League foe as Rochester (1-2 overall) opened up a 26-7 lead by halftime, thanks in large part to 267 rushing yards in the first half.
“This one stung,” Aberdeen head coach Todd Bridge said. “And it’s going to bother me for a very long time.”
Rochester took the opening kickoff and chunked its way down the field and took a 7-0 lead on a 22-yard touchdown run by quarterback Carson Rotter.
After a Bobcats drive stalled out inside Warriors territory, Rochester responded when running back Xander Peterman broke loose on a 55-yard run to break into the Aberdeen red zone.
Warrior running back Ethan Rodriguez punched it in from four yards out a few plays later for a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
After the Bobcats’ ensuing drive stalled out near midfield, Rochester went up 20-0 on a Rodriguez 3-yard run with 4:06 to play in the first half.
Aberdeen (0-3) got back in the game on its next drive and scored when junior quarterback Andrew Martin connected with senior receiver Adonis Hammonds for a 6-yard touchdown.
Gabe Matthews’ point-after kick cut the Cats’ deficit to 20-7 with just over two minutes left in the second quarter.
But Aberdeen’s hopes of entering the break down two scores were dashed when Rotter scampered 52 yards on the next play from scrimmage for a touchdown, staking the Warriors to a 26-7 halftime lead.
Playing with more fervor in the third quarter, Aberdeen’s defense stiffened while the offense twice drove inside the Rochester 10-yard line.
But both trips inside the red zone ended without points on the board. A Bobcats run on 4th and 5 came up short to turn the ball over on downs followed later by a makeable missed field goal to keep the score at 26-7.
Rochester took advantage, killing clock with its run-heavy offense before scoring when Rodriguez ran in his third rushing touchdown of the game on a 26-yard sprint with three minutes left to play.
The loss was a disapointing one for Bridge, whose team moved the ball well between the 20s but struggled to finish drives deep inside enemy territory.
RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Rochester defender Kole Smith (16) breaks up a pass intended for Aberdeen receiver Adonis Hammonds (4) during the Bobcats’ 33-7 loss on Friday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.
”Offensively we were moving the ball. Without watching film, I believe our line did much better than in the previous two weeks, but I have a hard time believing the Rochester is 26 points better than us. I just want a win for these boys so bad,” Bridge said. “Offensively, we shows signs of improvement and we were moving the chains, but a batted ball here and a low snap there. When you’re going against an offense like (Rochester’s), you’re not going to get to touch the ball very often.”
Aberdeen sophomore quarterback Mason Hill went 12 for 22 for 142 yards.
Cats receivers Sam Schreiber (4 catches) and Hammonds (5 catches) had 66 receiving yards apiece while junior running back Legend Vessey carried the ball 15 times for 55 yards.
Rochester outgained Aberdeen 334-207 and held a 334-59 advantage over the Bobcats in the running game.
Aberdeen played a relatively clean game with just one turnover and three penalties for 25 yards compared to eight for 69 yards for the Warriors.
But Aberdeen’s experience, or lack thereof, proved to be a key factor in the loss, according to Bridge.
”We just need some games,” he said. “It’s like we need an entire season before we play anyone. Field experience, there is no substitute.”
Aberdeen’s struggles can be partially washed away with a win over Hoquiam when the two face each other in the prestigous Myrtle Street Rivalry game at 7 p.m. on Friday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.
Rochester 7 19 0 7 – 33
Aberdeen 0 7 0 0 – 7
Scoring
First quarter
Rochester – Rotter 22 run (Smith kick), 6:12
Second quarter
R – Rodriguez 4 run (Smith kick), 10:39
R – Peterman 3 run (kick failed), 4:06
Aberdeen – Hammonds 6 pass from Martin (Matthews kick), 2:14
R – Rodriguez 51 run (Gravett run), 1:29
Third quarter
None
Fourth Quarter
R – Rodriguez 26 run (Smith kick), 3:01
Passing leaders: R – Rotter 0-2-0-0. A – Hill 12-22-0-142; Martin 1-4-0-6.
Rushing leaders: R – Rodriguez 12-113; Rotter 10-92; Nelson 6-64; Peterman 14-48; Vironc 1-11; Rogers 2-8. A – Vessey 15-55; Schroeder 4-6; Hill 1-4; Martin 1-(-6).
Receiving leaders: Hammonds 5-66; Schreiber 4-66; Schroeder 1-5; Creamer 1-4; Vessey 1-(-7).
