‘Cannonball run’: De’Magea Hogan powers Antelope to win over Roseville

At 5-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Antelope High School running back De’Magea Hogan is a bulldozer. He is nearly impossible to tackle in the open field.

Roseville defenders figured that out quickly Saturday afternoon. Hogan rushed for 114 yards and had touchdown runs of two and five yards in Antelope’s 21-14 home victory over the district rival Tigers.

Hogan’s late uncle Kevin gave him the nickname “cannonball” years ago. He looked and played the part Saturday as the Titans celebrated their first game since the end of the 2019 season.

“It’s a great feeling (to play football),” Hogan said. “I just get hyped. I love my teammates. Every time I do something they get hyped with me.”

Antelope coach Reggie Harris added about his running back, “He’s a phenomenal young man. Low center of gravity and he will go over you by means necessary.”

The Tigers were inside the red zone with less than three minutes left, trailing by a touchdown, when Antelope forced and recovered a fumble. Antelope, with Hogan’s help, was able to run out the clock.

Antelope’s offensive line of Dean Abdullah, Jesse Cintreraz, Zaire Collier, Khalid Francis, Mark Korolev, Culby Perkins and Alex Post helped the Titans rush for 260 yards. Curron Borders scored a 22-yard touchdown with 7:46 left for the go-ahead touchdown.

Borders, Hogan and quarterback Quincy Gallon planned to treat their offensive line to dinner after the performance they had in the trenches. Gallon had 105 yards of total offense.

“We’re going out to BJ’s tonight,” Hogan said with a laugh. “Curron is most definitely splitting (the tab) with me and Quincy, too. I’m not the only one they are blocking for.”

Saturday also marked Harris’ first head-coaching victory. He was a top assistant at Grant for 12 stellar seasons before working as an assistant at Florida high school powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.

On the other sideline, it was Adam Reinking’s first game as Roseville’s head coach. He was previously the head coach at his alma mater El Camino from 2007-16 and served as an assistant past the two seasons on the Tigers varsity staff.

For Roseville, Carson Errecart passed for 155 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown to running back Joe Brijs, who finished the game with 110 yards of total offense.

“Cole played really good — he bleeds orange and black,” Reinking said. “Joe’s our guy. We are going to put the ball in his hands every single time we can with the game on the line.”

Both schools have dealt with their fair share of COVID-19 problems this spring, leading to Saturday’s game serving as a season opener. Antelope had its game canceled against Yuba City last week and Roseville had games canceled with Christian Brothers on March 12 and against Woodcreek last week.

“I’m happy for our kids (that they get to play),” Reinking said. “(Today) didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but our kids didn’t quit. I was just telling our principal that’s why I like Roseville kids because they’re gritty and they never give up.”

Reinking added, “Hats off to Antelope. They have some ginormous human beings over there. We will learn from (this loss) and get better.”

Both teams weren’t able to have a padded practice leading up to the game. Antelope’s preparation for the game came over Zoom and a Friday walkthrough. The lack of practice attributed to multiple players dealing with cramping issues on the sideline.

“(Being in quarantine) was like being a hostage,” Harris said. “We couldn’t do anything. I had to rely on Zoom. I always teach these young men to get motivated by adversity. I had to be creative, so I just did practice over Zoom.”

Roseville will host River Valley on Friday. Antelope will play Inderkum next on April 9.