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Rowlett's season ends in overtime against Humble Atascocita, 31-24

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By David McNabb/Special Contributor

WACO - Rowlett's fourth-quarter rally forced overtime but it was early missed opportunities which were the deciding factors in a 31-24 loss to Humble Atascocita in a Class 6A Division I Region II semifinal at a cold, rainy McLane Stadium at Baylor.

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Rowlett (10-3) made a school-tying best playoff run but had hoped it could have taken more than a four-point halftime lead after four Atascocita turnovers.

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Making a school-best playoff run, Atascocita (12-1) showed its offensive prowress in the second half in taking a 10-point and getting the game-winning score on a 21-yard touchdown pass in overtime. Atascocita, coached by former Texas A&M quarterback Craig Stump meets Austin Westlake (12-1) coached by former Texas quarterback Todd Dodge, in the Region II final at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Berry Complex in Cypress.

Rowlett had its final, fourth-down pass batted away in the secondary on fourth down in overtime. Normally an offensive juggernaut, Rowlett was held to three touchdown catches, all of which were caught by junior receiver LaDarius Dickens (12 catches for 146 yards).

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"Film can lie to you," Rowlett coach Doug Stephens said. "We thought we could move better on them than we did ... They're a good football team and we're good team. We just didn't take care of business."

Rowlett had won a playoff shootout (65-64) over Belton in the first round and beat perennial power Skyline, 24-21, last week. Rowlett's only two turnovers against Atascocita proved costly. Atascocita took a 24-14 lead by scoring two touchdowns in 3:24 seconds of the third quarter after an interception and followed by a fumble on a kickoff return gave Atascocita short fields of 51 and 43 yards.

After a 29-yard field goal by Chris Luplow early in the fourth quarter, Rowlett tied the score at 24 on a swing pass to Dickens, who broke free on a 26-yard touchdown after hurdling the first tackle attempt. Dickens scored Rowlett's first touchdown on a twisting, back-shoulder catch for 16 yards and breaking another early tackle attempt on a 58-yard score on a slant pattern.

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Rowlett's defense actually made big stops with two interceptions by junior cornerback Trenton Gordon, who also had a key tackle for loss to stop another Atascocita drive inside the 20-yard line. But Atascocita took advantage of Rowlett's man coverage as 6-3 receiver Coye Fairman scored on third down in overtime.

"The bus ride back home will be long," Stephens said. "When we have a chance to look back at the season, we'll enjoy it, but we're disappointed now."