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The Westwood Rockets had a tough start to the 2024 season after losing their season opener at Fayetteville 36-0 on Thursday night.

The Tigers would begin the game on offense, but the Rockets were able to keep them at bay on the first possession and Fayetteville was forced to punt.

Westwood would get the ball on their own 26, but the Tigers would intercept a passing play by the Rockets, giving Fayetteville a prime opportunity to score.

Fayetteville would take advantage of the miscue by Westwood, scoring a touchdown with 3:23 remaining in the first quarter of play. The Tigers would fail to convert on a two point try, but remained ahead 6-0.

It wouldn’t be long before Fayetteville found the end zone again, as the Rockets muffed the kickoff return, giving the Tigers the ball at the Westwood 39 yard line, and then the Tigers scored on a rushing play with 2:05 to go in the first quarter. Just like their first score, they were unable to get the extra two points, giving them a 12-0 advantage, which they would keep all the way through the second quarter and to the halftime break.

No team could break through in the third quarter, but the Tigers would add on to their lead just seven seconds into the fourth on a passing play. The two point conversion would be good this time, and Fayetteville extended their advantage to 20-0.

The Rockets would have their best drive of the game on the next possession, including a big catch by Isaiah Buchanan, but the next play would result in negative yardage, and the Rockets would end up turning it over on downs.

The Tigers would score two more times for 16 more points in the fourth quarter, and Fayetteville would go on to win the game 36-0.

Westwood will be back in Manchester on Thursday, Aug. 15 when they play host to Liberty.