Rams get offensive in 53-21 victory


Glenwood’s Jack Johnson snags a pass before racing into the endzone just before halftime in the win over Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson. Johnson hauled in four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Glenwood put together it’s best offensive night of the season in a 53-21 victory over Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson in District 6 football Friday.

The Rams (3-5) scored a season high in points and racked up 531 yards of offense, including 333 yards rushing, in notching their second straight win.

Glenwood wasted little time getting on the board against the Yellowjackets (1-7), driving 68 yards in six plays to take the lead on Cole Staudt’s 22-yard quarterback keeper. The Ram defense would step up on the ensuing possession, forcing two straight negative plays and then inducing a holding call in the endzone to net a safety and a 9-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Rams would push their lead to 16-0 on an 11-play, 80 yards drive Staudt capped with a touchdown toss to Kaden Crouch on an 11-yard slant.

The Yellowjackets would answer with a sustained drive of their own to cut the lead to 16-8 with 41 seconds left in the half but the Rams weren’t quite ready to concede just yet.

Staudt keyed a five play, 68 yard drive in just 38 seconds to grab the momentum back on Jack Johnson’s 24 yard TD catch with :03.5 left in the half.

Glenwood picked up right where it left off after intermission, marching down to the Yellowjackets 11-yard line where Jose Diaz booted a 28 yard field goal to extend the lead to 26-8 with six minutes to go in the third quater.

A TJ turnover led to another Ram score less than two minutes later when Tristan Ludwig, who ran for a game-high 133 yards on the night, raced in from 23 yards out to make the score 33-8.

All night long the Rams had the Jackets guessing defensively. When TJ slowed the Glenwood run game early, they went to the short passing game. When TJ adjusted, the Rams went back to its power running game.

The Glenwood offensive line was dominant at time as they tallied a season-high rushing night.

“The guys have been getting better all year, getting some continuiting and getting healthy as helped,” Faust said of his offensive line. “It’s a young group. Our coaches have done a nice job, Tanner Teegarden and Alex Williams coach the offensive line. They continue to develop and hopefully they continue that next week.”

The balance offensively – 198 passing, 330 rushing – was key in the Rams’ success, Faust said.

“They had a nice game plan and took away the run early in some ways and Coach Williams, who calls the plays, did a good job with our balance, which helps,” he said. “Cole Staudt and his ability to both run and throw has been helpful and having guys get open helps too.”

Staudt finished his night 13-of-19 passing for 159 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 130 yards rushing and touchdown on just nine carries.

Crouch hauled in three passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns and Jack Johnson caught four balls for 66 yards and a score.

Defensively, the Rams forced three turnovers and limited TJ to 213 total yards. Quarterback Jayden Fujii was harassed into a 5-of-19 passing night for 101 yards – his lone touchdown coming on a 77-yard pass to Mayson Kramer – and two interceptions.

“We played a little style of defense tonight,” Faust said. “We had some guys out at linebacker so we did a few things differently there and our guys adjusted to new roles as we went on. I thought our defensive line – Mason Koehler, Mason Lunning, Jacob Aust – really did a nice job and Trey Darden, Jack Johnson and Virginio Rangel Gonzales did a nice job at their safety positions too.”

Freshman Dylan Powles led the Glenwood defense with six tackles. Lincoln Skarnulis added 5.5 tackles.

The victory was bittersweet for Glenwood, however, as they saw their playoff hopes dashed with an upset in District 6 play Friday. The Rams needed help to get in the postseason and they got it in the form of Dallas Center-Grimes’ 18-16 win over Winterset but Norwalk, Glenwood’s opponent next week, upset No. 4 ranked Council Bluffs Lewis Central 21-7 to secure the district title. The top two finishers from each district earn playoff bids.

“If LC had beaten Norwalk and we beat them next week, we would be in but it didn’t work out,” Faust said. “I’m really proud of our guys. They were a little bummed out to see it end that way after a great performance but I’m hopeful we can shock the world next week.”
The Rams close out their season Friday on the road at Norwalk (5-3). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Scoring Summary
G     09  14  17  13   53
TJ    00  08  06  07   21

Game Summary
G – Cole Staudt, 22 run (kick good).
G – Safety.
G – Staudt to Kaden Crouch, 11 pass (kick good).
TJ – Jayden Fujii, 12 run (two-point conversion good).
G – Staudt to Jack Johnson, 24 pass (kick good).
G – Jose Diaz, 28 field goal.
G – Tristan Ludwig, 23 run (kick good).
TJ – Fujii to Mayson Kramer, 77 pass (two-point conversion failed).
G – Staudt to Crouch, 26 pass (kick good).
G – Pauley Simonetti, 12 run (kick good).
TJ – Fujii, 4 run (kick good).
G – Ben Carlo, 6 run (kick no good).

 

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