WEST BRANCH — The Eddyville-Blakesburg Rockets went into the first round of the Class 1A state football playoffs seeking redemption. E-B lost to West Branch 56-28 during the regular season, so the Rockets suited up Monday against the Bears with higher stakes.

Unfortunately, the game didn’t go as planned for the Rockets, as they were dropped 33-18 by the third-ranked Bears.

The game was tightly-contested, as the Rockets (7-4) took a one-point lead going into halftime with a score of 13-12.

The Rockets weren’t able to hold on to the lead for long, as the Bears (11-0) scored 20 points in the second half. The Rockets were only allowed six.

“We played a tremendous first half,” said Keller. “But in the second half, we had a couple bad bounces and they picked them off.”

The bad bounces included four uncharacteristic interceptions thrown by senior quarterback Logan Alexander. Alexander threw only eight interceptions in the 10 previous games this season for the Rockets.

Despite throwing four picks, Alexander was the major spark in the Rockets offense, throwing for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander ends his senior football season with over 1500 passing yards, 21 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

Sam Taylor, who stepped up big time for the Rockets this season, had two catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Battterson also had a receiving touchdown for the Rockets. Batterson ends his senior campaign with over 1100 yards rushing, 18 rushing touchdowns, while gaining 7.9 yards per carry.