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closeMT. PLEASANT -- One game doesn't make a season, but Rock Hill's 26-0 win over Wando on Friday was just what coach Joe Montgomery's Bearcats needed.
Prior to Friday night, Rock Hill had lost its last three season-openers and the last two teams finished with losing records. The 2008 version of the Bearcats looked a lot better than the last two teams, and defensive lineman Dominique Cathcart said Friday's win was just the beginning.
"We played well on defense, and that helped us get off to a good start this season,'' he said. "The coaches had us ready and they get the credit for this one. They tell us not to get excited, to go out and play our game.''
Try saying that to junior tailback Jamal Tyler, playing in his first varsity game. Tyler moved to Rock Hill from Aiken last Aug. 30, by didn't go out for football because he thought it was too late.
He teamed with Jerante Hood, last year's starter, on Friday, and if the game showed anything, it was that once the Bearcats get their passing game, they will drive opponents crazy with their running game.
Tyler had 19 carries for 155 yards and scored the final touchdown, a 49-yard run down the left sideline that put the Bearcats ahead 26-0.
"It felt good to be back on the field the first time since the ninth grade," Tyler said. "I made up my mind this week that I was going to make the best of this opportunity.
"Jerante ran well, too. He's strong and we draw off each other. No matter who's in there, our running game will do well."
Hood had only 33 yards on eight carries, but he ran hard and will get his share of carries.
Rock Hill led 14-0 at the half and put the finishing touches on its victory after a sluggish third quarter on offense.
Hood scored Rock Hill's third touchdown, sweeping around right end from 13 yards out. The kick failed and the Bearcats led 20-0 with 8:11 remaining.
With 2:25 left, Tyler capped the scoring, diving into the end zone after his long run that set off a celebration on the Bearcats' sideline.
"We have a pretty good one-two punch at running back, and our quarterback, Randall Dixon, ran the offense well in his first start," Montgomery said. "But the thing that stuck out most was our defense. Those guys played a great game, got a shutout in their first game of the season."
The Bearcats dominated the first half. Rock Hill also owned a huge advantage in the statistics.
The bulk of Wando's yards came on one play, a 22-yard pass from Parker Gaston to Josh Wattay. Those were the only yards though the air for the Warriors, who had only 28 rushing and ran just one play in Rock Hill territory.
As one-sided as the half was, Rock Hill was able to score only one offensive touchdown on Dixon's 1-yard run on the second play of the second quarter.
Call it a case of the opening-night jitters, or maybe the Bearcats were too anxious to get off to a good start. No matter what it was, mistakes cost the Bearcats from racing to a huge lead.
They marched to the 28 on their first possession, but four straight incomplete passes thrown by Dixon gave Wando the ball.
Rock Hill also turned the ball over twice -- first on a Hood fumble at the Warriors' 39 and a fumble by tight end Asa Watson after catching a pass from Dixon.
Dixon's run capped a nine-play drive that covered 74 yards. The biggest play was a 32-yard run by Jatavious Stewart on his first of two carries of the game.
Near the end of first half, Wando's Sims Parker dropped back to punt with the ball snapped from the Warriors' 25. Rock Hill's Tyreck Harris rushed in and blocked the kick. Cathcart was close behind. He picked the ball out of the air and ran it in for an 8-yard TD at the 1:57 mark of the second quarter.
"That was the play of the game as far as I'm concerned," Montgomery said. "We make that play and go up 14-0 at the half."
Bearcats 26
Warriors 0
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