DORADOS SNAP LOSING STREAK IN 53-52 WIN OVER CORPUS

By Dorados Football | May 4, 2008

By: Rachel Reida

Hidalgo, Texas— Rio Grande Valley Dorado quarterback Travis Cole connected on a 25-yard pass to Eddie Jackson with just 10 seconds left in the game to snap a three-game losing streak and overcome the Corpus Christi Sharks 53-52 Saturday night at the Dodge Arena.

Rio was up 46-44 with just 42.1 seconds left after Brian Hazelwood’s 15-yard field goal, but Corpus’ Ivory McCann returned the Dorados kickoff and after a two-point conversion, the Sharks took control of the board 52-46 with just 16.4 left in the game. Cole and Jackson then responded with a 20-yard pass to midfield before hooking up on the game-tying pass. Brian Hazelwood’s extra point with no time on the clock boosted the Dorados to victory.

It was a back-and-forth battle for much of the first half with Rio pulling ahead midway through the second quarter when Pierre Thomas caught a 13-yard pass from Cole, followed by a safety after Keenan Washington and Quinton Staton sacked Sharks quarterback Fran Johnson to take the lead 26-14. Corpus came within five of the Dorados, 29-24 to end the first half, on a J.D. Williams field goal with just 0.4 left.

The Dorados take off on the road for the next two weekends making stops in Tulsa and Central Valley, and return home May 24 vs. Oklahoma City.

 

Score By Quarters 

CCS       14-10-00-28– 52        Record: (2-3)

RGV       10-19-07-17– 53        Record: (2-3)

ATTENDANCE: 4,022

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Anthony Chambers (RGV)

JLS Ironman of the Game: Pierre Thomas (RGV)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Quinton Staton (RGV)

Cutters Catch of the Game: Eddie Jackson (RGV) touchdown pass with 10 seconds left in the game.

COACH HAMMOND SOUNDBITES

Why the onside kick with 0.4 seconds left in the first half?

“We weren’t expecting what happened to occur. We wanted them to make contact with the ball and then the clock run out, but it was a terrible kick by Brian which lead to their field goal.”

What went through your mind when they ran back the kickoff with 16.4 seconds left?

“My initial thought was “here we go again”, but we had time to make some plays and we did. We didn’t want to be in the situation, but we made the best of it.”

How big was this win seeing as they are division opponents and rivals, and because of the three-game losing skid?

“It was huge for all of those reasons, but most importantly because we needed it mentally. It was a huge win and it has and will help us mentally as we continue with the season.”