Joaquin remains in the hunt

With their backs against the wall on Friday night, the Joaquin Rams needed a win to maintain any hope of extending their season. The Rams rose to the occasion and finished their regular season with a win against the West Sabine Tigers. Joaquin earned a 43-40 victory that required a full 48 minutes of their best effort.

“Every prayer we pray before we go out, we finish with, ‘play hard, play fast, and play for 48.’ That was the epitome f it right there,” said Joaquin coach Wade Lawson. “I’m just proud of how they competed. When you come out in a game like this and there’s uncertainty on the other side, it’s tough. We knew what we had to do to keep our season alive and give ourselves an opportunity, but we knew that it was still not guaranteed. So, for them to come out and play that hard, it just goes to show what kind of character they have, what kind of kids we have at Joaquin.”

The Rams battled from start to finish. Joaquin started behind early in this one. West Sabine halted the Rams’ opening drive and forced a punt before breaking loose for a 69-yard touchdown. Joaquin responded quickly with a 55yard touchdown run by Gauge Jordan making it an 8-6 game after the failed two-point conversion. The first quarter ended 14-6, Tigers, after West Sabine returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Running back Dallon Jordan scored early in the second quarter from nine yards out. Dallon fought for every yard on his touchdown carry, ending the down by stretching out draped with defenders to cross the plane. With a successful two-point conversion, the Rams tied the game at 14.

Quarterback Justyn Brown then helped Joaquin take control of the game with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Gauge Jordan. West Sabine made a valiant attempt at scoring before halftime, but the Rams’ defense came up with a big stop on a deep pass that penetrated the red zone just before time expired.

From the start of the third quarter, the Rams maintained their lead over the Tigers. West Sabine trimmed the lead on several occasions to less than a touchdown, but the Rams’ toughness and desire to win kept the Tigers one short step behind to a 43-40 finish.

“I can’t say enough about my five seniors,” said Lawson. “I love those dudes, and they’ve won a lot of football games on this field here. Gauge Jordan, I’m not sure what his stats were tonight, but I’m pretty sure he went over 4,000 yards for his career rushing. He’s going to be up there amongst the best that I’ve had in my 10 years here. Big Ty Neal and Clayton Thomas, them dudes got after it at defensive end all night. Braylon Umbrell got banged up, and a few weeks back Jericho Newman got dinged up. They’re five incredible young men. The best thing is that when they leave us and they go on to the next phase of their lives, they’re going to be five incredible men, husbands, and fathers, and that’s what we care about.”

Gauge Jordan led the team with 193 yards rushing with three touchdowns on the ground. Jordan’s 44-yard touchdown reception brings his total to four touchdowns. Dallon Jordan played a tough game for the Rams. His 13 carries went for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

As things currently stand, Timpson, Garrison, and Shelbyville are all locked into the top three spots in the district leaving the fourth spot open to three competitors. Joaquin, West Sabine, and San Augustine are still in the running for the four seed. West Sabine now faces Shelbyville, San Augustine faces Grapeland, and Joaquin will practice through a bye week in hopes of a playoff berth.

Joaquin kept their season alive with their victory over the Tigers, but they will need some help to make the postseason. If the Grapeland Sandies defeat the San Augustine Wolves this Friday, Joaquin is in.