ROCKDALE -- Missed opportunities and ill-timed penalties were the difference between a close game and a one-sided affair Friday night as the Rudder Rangers fell 28-0 to Rockdale.

"Something was always there to shoot us in the foot tonight," Rudder coach C.M. Pier said. "We have to be able to adjust to that. No excuses."

The District 24-3A game started well for Rudder (2-4, 0-3). The Rockdale defense stopped the Rangers on the first possession of the game, but Rudder's defense answered by forcing a punt on Rockdale's first possession and making a key goal-line stand on the second possession that ended with Rockdale missing a field goal.

And at halftime, the undefeated Tigers (7-0, 3-0) held a slim 7-0 lead thanks to one big play -- a 60-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Wright to Joe Sanders.

"Our defense was playing great," Pier said. "We're just not getting the help from the offense right now. We've got to get some production on the offensive side of the ball. That's the bottom line. If we would have gotten any offensive production tonight, we would have been good."

Rockdale held Rudder to seven first downs and 153 yards of total offense. The Rangers' inability to string together long drives led to a fatigued Rudder defense, and the Tigers took advantage in the second half.

Still, the Rangers continued to show improvement in the second year of varsity of play.

"You've got to give credit to Coach Pier and that staff," Rockdale head coach Jeff Miller said. "Those kids played their tails off. They came out playing tough, and it's really fun to watch a team when they're playing like that."

Rudder had two chances to stay in the game in the second half.

The first came late in the third quarter following a Rockdale touchdown on a 2-yard run by Sanders. Rudder blocked the extra point and returned it for two points only to have the play voided by a block-in-the-back penalty during the return.

On the next possession, Rudder quarterback Kyle Danford connected with Mike Jones for what appeared to be a 50-yard reception. That play also was called back, however, because of another penalty, and the Rangers were forced to punt two plays later.

Rockdale then put the game way with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Greg Chelf topped off his 24-carry, 186-yard night with a 9-yard touchdown run, and Wright threw his second touchdown pass of the night, connecting with J.J. Lewis from 7 yards out following a Rockdale interception.