“The tradition of Rocket pride” was the theme of Saturday’s 5A Division I semifinal match up at Rice Stadium, according to Converse Judson coach Jim Rackley. In a dominating fashion, the Rockets defeated North Shore 28-7 to advance to the state title game.

“Rocket pride is a brotherhood that goes back to 1980 and it is the spirit that these kids have,” he said.

It was obvious this was the inspiration they used as a motivator for the season. Also, when the Converse Judson team finished the regular season 6-4, there were many who did not believe this team would have the success they have had up to this point. But, according to Rackley, this win and the season so far speaks for itself.

“I’m so proud of our kids. A lot of people said we couldn’t get out of our district,” Rackley said. “They kept throwing dirt on our grave, but these kids kept believing, working, and fighting.”

It was that type of fire that helped in this game going against undefeated North Shore. Most of the Rockets’ points were scored off turnovers they caused.

The Rockets got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when the Converse Judson special team forced a fumble on a punt and Calvin Brown picked it up and ran in a 15-yard touchdown.

Then it was the Converse Judson defense making things happen when Erik Brown intercepted a pass and returned it pass midfield giving his team adequate field position. That turnover set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Austin Quinney to Lamont Hooper to give the Rockets a 14-0 halftime advantage.

It seemed like North Shore was not really clicking offensively. In the first half, the Mustangs picked up very few first downs and punted on many possessions.

“In a game like this against a great football team you can never get too emotionally high,” Rackley said to his team during halftime. “You have to stay in the toughness zone.”

After halftime, the Rocket’s defense took their game play up a notch with the pass rush on North Shore quarterback Jeremiah McGinty. Late in the third quarter, Brown intercepted another Mustang pass to give his team the ball back.

Three plays later, Quinney found Mitchell Swan for a 30-yard touchdown strike. But North Shore responded. On the next Mustang possession, McGinty found some running room on an option play good for 45 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Tracy Woods.

The Rockets would put one more touchdown on the board late in the game after Mustang miscue on special teams. Quinney scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

Converse Judson will advance to the Division I state final in San Antonio next week and face the winner of the Euless Trinity/Plano game.

North Shore finished 14-1.

GAME LEADERS
Passing:
CJ – Austin Quinney 5-of-7, 92 yards, 2TD
NS – Jeremiah McGinty 6-of-16, 55 yards, 2 INT

Rushing:
CJ – Mitchell Swan 21/196 yards
NS – Jeremiah McGinty 16/83 yards

Receiving:
CJ – Mitchell Swan 1/30 yards/TD
NS – Excelle Osborne 3/31 yards

Interceptions:
CJ – Erik Brown (2)

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