Rams’ offense stymied in 28-9 loss

The highly anticipated first game at the new Glenwood Community School District Activities Complex didn’t go the way the Rams and a homecoming crowd of more than 3,000 fans had planned and hoped for.

Dallas Center-Grimes used an opportunistic, big-play offense and a stifling defense to come away with a 28-9 victory Friday night.

The DCG defense limited Glenwood to just 66 yards rushing and 39 yards passing, but Ram coach Cory Faust said after the game he was more disappointed in his team’s defensive breakdowns that allowed the Mustangs to build an 18-point lead in the first half.

“DCG’s defense is very good. They’ve played great defense all year, but I was more disappointed early on in our inability to stop them,” Faust said.  “That’s on me as the coach. Obviously, I didn’t have them ready. Fundamentally, we were not very good – in the first half especially.”

Glenwood scored the first points of the night just two minutes into the game on a 42-yard field goal by Brock Sell, who had set up the score himself by recovering a Mustang fumble on the opening kickoff.

Things immediately went downhill for Glenwood after the field goal. Just 21 seconds after taking a 3-0 lead, the Rams surrendered a 73-yard touchdown pass from Mustang quarterback Huston Halverson to Caden Grimes.

The Rams went three-and-out on the ensuing possession and then allowed DCG to score another touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Halverson to running back Luke Busby.

With Glenwood’s offense struggling to get first downs, the Mustangs added to their 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Busby. The TD capped a 50-yard scoring drive for the Mustangs.
down of the night came late in the second quarter when Silas Bales intercepted a Halverson pass and returned it 42 yards for a score. DCG led 21-9 at halftime.

After Glenwood went 3-and-out on its opening possession of the second half, the Mustangs scored their final touchdown of the night on a 29-yard scoring toss from Halverson to Clayton Rossmanith.

Both teams did little on offense for the remainder of the game as the Mustangs seemed content to run time of the game clock and the Rams struggled to find their rhythm. Glenwood did have an opportunity to cut into the DCG lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, but a 31-yard field goal attempt went wide left.

The Mustangs iced the game midway through the fourth quarter when Dawson Lego intercepted an errant Glenwood pass and returned it to the Rams’ 35-yard line.

Faust said despite their disappointing performance, he’s optimistic the Rams will play better football as the season progresses.

“The good news is we have another chance to play next week,” he said. “We’ll see what we can do. I’m really excited to see what we’re made of here and how we bounce back.”

Statistically, quarterback Zach Carr completed 5-of-17 passes. John Palmer was his top target, hauling in three pass receptions for 34 yards. Carr was also the Rams’ leading rusher with 31 yards on a dozen carries.

For DCG, Halverson finished the night with 185 passing. The Mustangs also churned out 121 yards rushing.

The loss dropped the Rams’ record to 3-1 on the season, while DCG improved to 3-1.

Glenwood begins district play Friday night at Winterset.

“Winterset’s really good, too,” Faust said. “Every team we play, including DCG, the rest of the way, is top 10 caliber. Our last six games are all that. We love it. We love good competition. I’m just really excited to get back at it next week. I believe in our guys and I have a good feeling they’re going to bounce back.”

Scoring Summary
DCG   14  07   07  00  - 28
G        03  06  00  00  -  9

Game Summary
GLN – Brock Sell, 42 field goal.
DCG – Caden Grimes, 73 pass from Halverson (Simao Goncalves kick).
DCG – Luke Busby, 18 pass from Halverson (Goncalves kick).
DCG - Busby, 1 run (Goncalves kick).
GLN – Silas Bales, 42 interception return (kick failed).
DCG - Clayton Rossmanith, 29 pass from Halverson (Goncalves kick).
 

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

Comment Here