Road warrior Rams off to 2-0 start
Glenwood quarterback Ben Carlo is tackled after a short gain in the Rams’ 17-12 win at Harlan Friday. Carlo ran for two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with two minutes to go.
Opening its season on the road for the first two weeks of the football season, Glenwood comes into its home opener this week with a 2-0 record following Friday’s 17-12 win at Harlan.
The win at Harlan is only the fourth win over the Cyclones in school history with previous wins coming in 1994, 2016 and 2019 and just the second win ever at Harlan’s Merrill Field (1994).
“I’m proud of the way our team competed Friday for much of the night,” said Glenwood coach Cory Faust. “They showed grit and resilience, with many players coming up with key plays. Our defensive effort to hold Harlan to three points was impressive.”
Defense was the name of the game for much of the night.
The Rams got on the board on their opening drive of the game when Ben Carlo raced into the end zone from 10 yards out.
The score remained 7-0 into halftime as the two teams traded punts. Ram defensive back Shain Pratt thwarted the Cyclones’ best drive of the half just before intermission on an acrobatic interception.
Glenwood’s lead would get to 10-0 on Aaron Christian’s 28-yard field goal early in the third quarter.
But the Cyclones would not go away.
After the two teams traded turnovers on their next possessions the Cyclones finally got on the board when Dallas McDowell stepped in front of a Carlo pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown with four minutes to go in the third.
Harlan would tie it up 10-10 early in the fourth following a short field and a 26-yard field goal by Jacob Spangenburg.
The Rams would have an answer of their own.
After forcing a third turnover in the game, the Rams took over at the Cyclone 48-yard line where Carlo went to work. The junior lefty engineered what would be the game-winning drive, hitting Kaden Crouch for a key 32-yard pass to set up his own two-yard touchdown scamper with less that two minutes to go in game.
The Cyclones would drive into Ram territory on their ensuing drive but a sack and forced fumble by Drake Buthe recovered by Dylan Powles would end the threat.
The Cyclones’ final two points came after Glenwood intentionally took a safety in the game’s closing seconds.
“As proud as I am of our team, I know we have plenty we can improve on,” Faust said. “There are some areas in all phases we’ll need to focus on this week in practice, and it starts with eliminating unforced mistakes and penalties.”
Faust praised the play of his defensive line, headlined by Buthe, Mason Koehler, Jacob Aust, and Josh Taylor, controlling the line of scrimmage all game long. Koehler was the Rams’ leading tackler (7.5 total) from his defensive tackle position.
Powles had four tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble from his middle linebacker position. In all, the Rams’ defensive back had 11 passes defended, including Pratt interception in the end zone to stop a Harlan drive.
Through two weeks, the Ram defense has been impressive, allowing just 132 yards per game and forcing nine total turnovers.
Offensively, the Rams outgained the Cyclones 328 yards to 152.
Scott Reed ran for a career-high 161 yards on 21 carries. Carlo finished his night 11-of-23 for 120 yards and rushing for two TDs and 32 yards on 16 carries.
Glenwood will be action Friday in its home opener hosting Creston (0-2). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Glenwood Athletic Complex.