Two dominant backs in Zion Bell and Audiel Becker are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Rock Creek Mustangs will challenge the Chapman Irish at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Rock Creek is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
Rock Creek is headed into the contest after thoroughly thrashing Concordia: they outscored them in every quarter. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that the Mustangs blew the Panthers out of the water with a 48-0 final score. The result was nothing new for the Mustangs, who have now won five matchups by 38 points or more so far this season.
Tate Smith
| 10/17/25 vs Concordia | 335 |
| 10/03/25 @ Clay Center | 271 |
| 10/10/25 vs Marysville | 207 |
| 09/19/25 vs Bonner Springs | 100 |
| 10/25/24 vs Chapman | 54 |
A big part of Rock Creek's victory came down to the chemistry between Tate Smith and his top target Luke Skinner. Smith threw for 335 yards and five touchdowns while picking up 15.2 yards per attempt while Skinner picked up 209 receiving yards and three scores. Those 335 passing yards gave Smith a new career-high.
Wins are hard to come by when you can't run the rock, something Rock Creek proved: they limited Concordia to a paltry 0.7 yards per carry. The team can thank Wade Rottinghaus for the heroic effort on defense: he. Rock Creek didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 6.9.
Rock Creek's defense didn't let Drake Blochlinger, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for three sacks. In fact, those sacks all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Rottinghaus. He also set a new season-high mark in total tackles with 11.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Chapman). They were the clear victors by a 36-16 margin over Marysville on Friday.
Rock Creek's win bumped their record up to 7-0. As for Chapman, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-6.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Rock Creek has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 211.1 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Chapman struggles in that department as they've been averaging 217.9 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Everything came up roses for Rock Creek against Chapman when the teams last played back in October of 2024, as the team secured a 69-6 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Mustangs since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
