The outcome of the game was in doubt until the final play, when Alec Newman sacked Moody quarterback Nate Wilburn at the Cougar 10 to preserve the victory.
Rosebud–Lott improved its season record to 2-0 while the Bearcats evened their record at 1-1.
Flores threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 116 yards and another score while conducting a balanced offensive attack for the Cougars.
Moody countered with a ground-oriented, ball-control offense that racked up 23 first downs and 367 yards on 65 carries. Sophomore fullback Walter Hammond was the workhorse, registering 36 totes for 228 yards. Wilburn added 109 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and threw for another score.
Trailing 20-12 at halftime, the Bearcats cut into Rosebud-Lott’s lead in the fourth quarter when running back Ricky Siler scored on a 14-yard counter play. Moody attempted a two-point conversion, but was unsuccessful, leaving the Cougars with a 20-18 edge with 9:12 left in the game.
The touchdown capped an eight-play, 63-yard drive.
Rosebud-Lott stormed right back, moving 62 yards in five plays to score on an 11-yard pass from Flores to Deandre Thompson with 6:47 remaining. The Bearcats blocked the PAT kick, leaving the Cougars with only an 8-point advantage.
Moody’s next possession started at its own 31 and ground down to the Cougar 4 in 15 plays before Rosebud-Lott and the clock were able to end it. Key plays in the drive included a 4-yard Hammond run on third-and-1, an offsides penalty against the Cougars on fourth-and-inches, and a 12-yard Hammond burst on fourth-and-8.
Rosebud–Lott opened the game with a touchdown when Ben Guthrie returned the opening kickoff 90 yards.
The Bearcats answered right back with a six-play, 71-yard drive that culminated in a 40-yard scamper around left end by Wilburn. The PAT kick was no good, leaving the Cougars with a 7-6 edge with 8:14 left in the first quarter.
On its next possession Rosebud-Lott moved the ball from its own 30 to the Moody 7 before a fumble - the only turnover of the game - ended the drive.
But a short Moody punt gave the Cougars good field position at the Bearcat 48. Two plays later Flores scooted around right end for 10 yards and a touchdown to give Rosebud-Lott a 14-6 lead with 1:04 remaining in the opening period.
The Bearcats again came right back, driving 67 yards in 13 plays to score on a 26-yard pass from Wilburn to Siler with 7:13 left in the half.
The Cougars responded with a 49-yard, eight-play, penalty-plagued drive that ended with Flores hooking up with Guthrie on a 35-yard pass play with 3:53 remaining until halftime.
Rosebud-Lott’s defense was sparked by the play of Austin Pomykal, Tyrell Irby, Adryan Howard, Tyler Kleypas and Newman. Leading the way for the Bearcats on defense were Tyler Beaman, Matthew Sauceda, Mike Haigood, Siler and Wilburn.
The Cougars play host to Normangee next week while Moody will travel to Meridian.
rray@temple-telegram.com
