Football: THE COWBELL STAYS HERE

Rams pick up first win with shutout of Perry, 38-0

By BRANDON HURLEY

Sports Editor

sports@beeherald.com

@BrandonJHurley

JEFFEERSON – A stout defensive performance and four total touchdowns from quarterback Clint Dennhardt sprang the Greene County football team to a commanding 38-0 victory over Perry Friday, Oct. 14 in Jefferson. 

The Rams (1-7, 1-5) retained the Cowbell Trophy for the third straight year thanks to an advantageous defense that forced four turnovers allowing just 95 total yards.  The win was also the Rams’ first in 3A district two action this fall. But with a rivalry that dates back to the 19th century, add senior night on top of that and the extra incentive came naturally. 

“It was a great win for these guys,” Greene County head coach Dean Lansman said. “Number one, they came into the week mentally focused and you could see that and they were really wanting to get that first win. What a great team do to it against and I think it carries a lot of weight going into next week. It’s a huge momentum boast for us and it gave them a lot of confidence.” 

A dominant Greene County defense has played a key role in the last two Cowbell games, as the Rams have held the Bluejays scoreless for eight consecutive quarters, dating back to their 35-0 win in 2015. 

“I think the kids played with a lot of heart, a lot of intensity and a lot of emotion,” Lansman said. “When you can do that with some teams it puts them on their heels a little bit and puts them in pressure situations. That was our goal going in and we were able to do that.”

The Rams jumped on the Bluejays (2-6, 0-6) early, as Dennhardt punched in a one-yard touchdown with 7:11 left in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Senior place-kicker Nick Schroeder tacked on a 28-yard field goal early in the second before Dennhardt snuck across the goal line for his second TD of the day to give the Rams a 17-0 lead just two minutes into the second quarter. 

Dennhardt then connected with Schroeder on a three yard touchdown pass to cap the first half scoring, as the Rams entered the break up 24-0. 

The Dennhardt-to-Schroeder connection continued in the second half and the sophomore quarterback found the senior from 34 yards out to push the score to 31-0 midway through the third. Tailback Trey Tucker then put the nail in the coffin early in the fourth with a 13-yard touchdown run, sealing the 38-0 win. 

“It feel great to get our first win of the year, especially this one,” Schroeder said. “Last year, we beat them 35-0 and this year 38-0, so two years in a row that they haven’t scored a point on us. Our line played a great game.”

Schroeder finished the night with three catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

“Clint had plenty of time to throw the ball thanks to (our offensive line) and Trey Tucker ran great,” Schroeder said. “That opened up the passing game.” 

Dennhardt completed five-of-nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns in addition to his two rushing touchdowns. Tucker cracked the 100 yard mark for just the third time all year, compiling 106 yards and a touchdown. The senior now has 654 yards and six touchdowns on the year.

Confidence has been key to Dennhardt’s effective play over the last handful of weeks, his coach said. The sophomore has turned the ball over just once in the last three contests, while completing over 50 percent of his passes. 

“A lot of it is confidence with Nick and being able to throw it up there with his height,” Lansman said. “He’s getting comfortable in the pocket and the line has given him more time as well.” 

Byrce Burkhardt led the way Friday with two fumble recoveries while recording three tackles. Junior Jake Berns tallied 7.5 takedowns including a tackle for loss while Tucker and Anthony Jacobsen each recorded a sack. Jacobsen also tallied 5.5 tackles. 

The Rams hit the road for the final game of the season Friday as they take on the Ballard Bombers (5-3, 3-3) who are coming off a 49-41 victory over Gilbert. Lansman and the Rams hope last week’s success will carry into the season finale. 

“Number one, we can’t be satisfied with just one win, and I don’t think they are,” the coach said. “We want to carry that emotion and that intensity into (Friday). Ballard has had our number over the years that we’ve played them. It’s going to be a big night for them being senior night, it should be a good ball game.”

 

 

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