Rattlers accept second-half challenge in win

A halftime challenge led to a second half comeback, propelling Navasota to a 37-35 win against the Stafford Spartans on senior night at Rattler Stadium.

Trailing 21-6 at halftime, Navasota Head Coach Casey Dacus challenged his team to play with energy. “The thing I was most frustrated about is we didn’t have any energy, and it showed. We played like we had no energy,” explained Dacus. 

The Rattlers answered the call scoring on the second play of the third quarter. Deontray Scott broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run, and Juan Vargas split the uprights to pull within 21-13. 

Dacus, determined to intensify the energy, called an onside kick and Navasota executed. “I was determined that I was going to jumpstart our guys however I needed to do that, and if that meant attempting an onside kick every time, then that is what we were going to do. 

Navasota capitalized on the short field. On a fourth-and-five play, Hudson Minor connected with Javeon “JJ” Graves for a 21-yard score. Stafford jumped offsides on the extra-point attempt, so the Rattlers elected to go for two and Scott converted the run to tie the game 21-21. 

Momentum continued as the Rattlers recovered another onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. Zy’Merick Taylor gave Navasota their first lead on a 6-yard run. Vargas split the uprights, for a 28-21 advantage. 

The energy spilled over into the fourth quarter, on another Scott touchdown run, this one good for 31 yards. Vargas extended the Rattler lead 35-21, with 11:54 remaining.

“I am proud of our guys. They fought their tails off in the second half, hung in there and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” explained Dacus.

Stafford put together a drive to cut into the Rattler lead, scoring on a Jamaal Wiley run. Senior Nicolas Castañeda exploded to the kicker and blocked the extra-point attempt. Fellow senior, M’Kheillan Woods, scooped the loose ball and outran everyone for a vital two-point return. 

Getting the block on senior night was extra special for Castañeda. “I was just thinking, never give up on a play, and never take a play off,” said Castañeda. “Coach Dacus has preched that ever since summer, so the thought stayed in my head and I had to make a big play since I’m a leader on this team.” 

Castañeda said this is a big team win especially on senior night. “Seniors were worried we might lose especially after the first quarter, but we brought the energy in the second half and turned up for everybody on the team.”

The two-point return from Woods was the difference in the game. “First off, I want to say thank you to Nick [Castañeda] for getting the perfect block. He set me up really well,” explained Woods. “Once I saw there was nothing in front of me but green, I just had to pick up the ball and go. I knew the team was riding on my back and those two-points at that point meant a lot. That two-point difference on the board, 37-35, proves to us we are a great team. We can come back, face the hardships and play hard on every play.” 

Stafford scored on a 6-yard swing pass reception by Terrance Woods. Brayden Batiste ran in the conversion to finalize the score.

The Spartans capitalized on a Navasota fumble in the opening quarter to take an early 7-0 lead on a 47-yard run by Wiley. They extended their first quarter lead on a 14-yard touchdown reception by Harold Kidd.

At the 7:49 mark of the second quarter, Navasota scored on a 35-yard touchdown run from Jamal Thomas. The point-after was tipped. 

Wiley scored his second rushing touchdown of the half plummeting in from the 2-yard-line for a 21-6 lead at the half.

Stafford (6-2, 3-1) hosts El Campo (6-2, 4-0) Friday, Sept. 28. Navasota (6-3, 3-2) plays at Brazosport (4-4, 2-2). Both games are slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.