Rosewood tops rival Bulldogs

Published in Sports on November 7, 2004 2:01 AM

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PRINCETON -- After their 48-6 win at Princeton, it's on to the Class 1-A N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs for the Rosewood football team.

The Eagles earned the No. 2 seed in the Carolina Conference.

Coach Daniel Barrow's club finished their regular season riding on the crest of a four-game win streak. Their record stands at 5-1 in conference play, 6-5 overall. Princeton (1-9 overall) finished 0-6 against conference foes.

Despite missing the services of fullback Montrell Horton, the Eagle rushing attack never missed a beat. Eleven runners handled the ball as Rosewood amassed 323 yards on 43 carries. Sophomore Devon Bennett led the way on the night with 132 yards on nine carries, scoring one touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Eagle defense slammed the door on the Princeton offense. The Bulldogs were held to 77 yards on the ground and 113 passing. Markas Brunson harassed quarterback Bren Hall all night. Free safety Dave Martel intercepted two passes, while Jeremy Ruesch added one interception and Derek Snow recovered a fumble.

The Eagles blocked a punt, giving them the ball at the Bulldog 16 early in the first quarter. Fullback Eddie Huerta got five-straight hand-offs from quarterback Danny Langston, before scoring on a two-yard dive at 7:07.

After James Ruesch made it 14-0 on a 17-yard run, Princeton's offense got rolling.

Before the game, coach Joe Mitchell would only smile when asked whether he had a few surprises for his guests. Mitchell threw in reverses and flea flickers to complement his passing game.

Starting at his own 11, Hall engineered a 17-play drive, and by mixing his signal cadence, he drew the Eagles offside three times. Thanks to Keith Johnson's rushing and a 14-yard pass to Brooks Moore, the Bulldogs drove to the Rosewood 22 -- only to see Craig Montgomery block Colin Parker's field goal attempt.

Langston, the area's leading passer, picked up touchdown number 25 on the season as he hit Dustin Overman for 33 yards at 5:52.

"He will leave Rosewood holding all career passing records," said Barrow.

The busiest man of the game, kicker Brandon Hietpas, made the extra point to make it 21-0.

Hall left nothing to chance the next time he got the ball. Three passes to Moore set up a 28-yard toss to Patrick Gatewood at 4:01 for the Bulldogs' lone score.

After Devon Bennett raced 71 yards on a left sweep on the first play of the second half, Barrow began substituting freely.

Thirteen penalties were assessed against the Eagles in the second half.

Rosewood 14 14 7 13 -- 48

Princeton 0 6 0 0 -- 6

First quarter

RHS -- Huerta 2 run (Hietpas kick) 7:07

RHS -- James Ruesch 17 run (Hietpas kick) 4:13

Second quarter

RHS -- Overman 33 pass from Langston (Hietpas kick) 5:52

PHS -- Gatewood 28 pass from Hall (kick failed) 4:01

RHS -- James Ruesch 1 run (Hietpas kick) :16

Third quarter

RHS -- Devon Bennett 71 run (Hietpas kick) 11:40

Fourth quarter

RHS -- Derrick Bennett 20 run (kick wide) 10:45

RHS -- Holmes 8 run (Hietpas kick) 5:54

RHS PHS

First downs 22 9

Rushes-yds. 43-323 27-77

Passing yds. 85 113

Total yds. 408 190

Comp.-att.-int. 4-7-0 6-16-3

Fumbles-lost 1-0 6-1

Penalties-yds. 18-135 9-105

Punts-avg. 2-26.0 2-28.5

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Rosewood -- Devon Bennett 9-132 TD; Chris Holmes 5-63 TD; James Ruesch 6-44 2TD; Derrick Bennett 6-37 TD; Ronnie Butler 3-23; Eddie Huerta 6-14 TD; Jeremy Ruesch 2-7; Josh Myers 1-4; Bryan Jones 1-2; Brantley Ellis 2-1; Danny Langston 2-(-4). Princeton -- Keith Johnson 11-46; Johnny Phillips 5-33; Brooks Moore 2-10; Decarius Scarboro 2-9; #82 1-14; Bren Hall 7-(-21).

PASSING -- Rosewood -- Danny Langston 4-5-85-0 TD; Brantley Ellis 0-2-0. Princeton -- Bren Hall 6-16-113-3 TD.

RECEIVING -- Rosewood -- Dustin Overman 1-33 TD; Derek Snow 1-32; Kyle Grey 2-20. Princeton -- Brooks Moore 4-45; Keith Johnson 1-40; Patrick Gatewood 1-28 TD.