Roosevelt linebacker Nick Berry (22) and defensive backs Kendrick Bowser (19) and Crosby Adams (4 converge on Reagan quarterback Derrick Walls last Saturday during the Rough Riders’ 12-7 victory over Reagan, keeping their district 26-5A record perfect at 3-0. Photo by John Albright

Since suffering a season-opening loss to Kerrville Tivy that seemed to put a damper on early predictions of a district title, the Roosevelt Rough Riders have bounced back and on Saturday may have gained all those doubters back.

The same Rough Rider defense that allowed Kerrville Tivy 49 points held a talented Reagan squad to a single score on its way to a 12-7 victory over the Rattlers.

After a scoreless first quarter, Roosevelt was able to take advantage of a bad Reagan punt that set them up on the Rattler 39-yard line. On the six-play drive, running back Joseph Phillips took a handoff to the outside and produced the game’s first score, a 12-yard TD run that gave Roosevelt a 6-0 halftime lead.

The Riders put together a strong first half. But their fans understand that Roosevelt has been known for blowing first-half leads in big district games. Those concerns arose early in the third quarter when Reagan nabbed its first – and only – lead of the night.

Reagan took the ball to begin the windy second half and marched down the field in seven plays that covered 84 yards. The drive concluded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derrick Walls to wide receiver Jordan Mengele. After a three-and-out and another Rough Rider punt, momentum was quickly shifting from the Rider sideline to the Rattler side of the field. But it was the Roosevelt defense that bore down and made the big plays to get the win. Reagan’s offense sputtered under the pressure of the Rider defense, which limited the Rattlers to only 112 rushing yards, and just 205 total on the night.

Roosevelt’s offense responded to the effort the defense had been giving all night by putting together a 13-play drive that ended with a Brandon Armstrong 1-yard run with 7:56 left to play. After the two-point conversion failed, the Rough Riders needed a big play to capture the game.

Instead, they got two. Two big interceptions in the final 7 minutes of play — including the game-winning pick by Marquise Foster — sealed the victory for Roosevelt in clearly its most physical game of the season.

Next week, Roosevelt travels to take on New Braunfels at Unicorn Stadium. The Unicorns are 2-2 in 27-4A play and will continue their quest to sneak into the playoffs. Roosevelt has a chance to take first place by the horns since undefeated Madison has a tough test with once-beaten Smithson Valley the same night. Roosevelt and Madison tangle Oct. 30, just one week before the end of the regular season.