Football Preview: RE-LOADING
BY BRANDON HURLEY
Managing Editor
news@beeherald.com
Friday night lights are back.
Fresh off a long-awaited district title, the Greene County football team is poised to make a strong push in this year’s defense.
The Rams opened the 2022 season Saturday, Aug. 27 in Ogden, with a gutsy, 20-14 win over AC/GC.
Greene County featured both a new quarterback and running back in Week 1. Gabe Ebersole takes the reins under center, replacing Bryce Stalder, who led the Rams to a 7-1 regular season record last fall as well as a Class 2A district title.
A NEWISH LOOK OFFENSE
Ebersole threw just a single pass in 2021, though it did result in a 30-yard touchdown. The junior is listed at six-feet and 170 pounds.
His sheer size and athleticism should fit him well in his first significant varsity action, Greene County head coach Caden Duncan said.
“Gabe is a big, strong kid who is a tremendous athlete and I think he has the potential to be a very good player for us,” Duncan said. “He has a strong arm and is also an aggressive runner.”
Greene County produced an overall record of 8-2 last fall, winning eight straight games after faltering in their season-opener. Their season came to a close after losing to OA-BCIG, 34-14 in the second round of the 2A playoffs.
The Rams have won at least seven games in four straight years, a stretch which includes three consecutive seasons with at least one playoff win. Greene County boasts an eight-game district winning streak, highlighted by a perfect 5-0 mark in 2021, securing an elusive title.
Coach Duncan said Greene County’s offense will look fairly the same as it has the last several years, with a strong focus on the run game in order to open the pass. Having Ebersole under center doesn’t alter the philosophy much.
“You just have to remember to stick with the things that your guys know well and can execute well, rather than trying to be too diverse early on,” Duncan said.
Patrick Daugherty steps in to receive the bulk of the carries as Greene County’s starting tailback. The now senior was electric nearly every time he touched the ball last fall, tallying six touchdowns and 459 yards rushing on 46 attempts, an impressive per carry average of 10 yards.
Duncan is excited for Daughtery’s potential as a lead back.
“As our main running back this year Patrick will see the ball a lot, and in a variety of ways,” Duncan said. “He’s tough to bring down but is also very skilled so he can do a lot of things.”
Ebersole will likely lean on the trusty talents of Richard Daugherty at receiver. The third year starter hauled in 21 receptions for 367 yards and six touchdowns last fall. Tight end Jesse Miller is back as well after snagging eight balls for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
The Rams should have a bevy of talent at the skill positions, Duncan believes, and he feels the offense shouldn’t have much trouble moving the ball. Expect Greene County to put up points yet again after finishing second in 2A with 62 total touchdowns a season ago.
“We feel good about a lot of things within our offense, but we probably have our best depth in our skill positions,” Duncan said. “Whether it’s at quarterback, running back, receiver, or tight end, we think we have a lot of playmakers that will make it tough on defenses to try and defend everyone.”
BALL-HAWKING DEFENSE
Defensively, the Rams should be stout as well. They return one of the state’s top defensive lineman in Michael Rumley, who led Class 2A with 19.5 tackles for loss in addition to his 4.5 sacks. Richard Daugherty hauled in four interceptions helping bolster a unit that led the state with 20 interceptions. The Rams also recovered 10 fumbles, forcing a total of 30 turnovers. The unit is hungry and ready to pounce once again, Duncan said. The Rams will boast size, speed and athleticism, a solid mix that often produces impressive outcomes.
“We feel really good about the aggressiveness and the speed of our defense at all three levels,” the coach said. “We have a good mix of veterans and younger guys at each level, so the leadership that the more experienced guys bring is huge.
Up front you have Jesse Miller and Michael Rumley leading the way. At the second level you have Patrick Daugherty and Gavin Scheuermann who both have a lot of experience. And then in the back end you have Richard Daugherty who is another guy that is very experienced and talented.”
DEFENDING THE DISTRICT
Greene County is once again in Class 2A, District 8 along with Clarke, Clarinda, Des Moines Christian, Red Oak and Shenandoah. The Rams out-lasted Clarinda a season ago for the district title, as the Cardinals finished with a 4-1 record, the only other program to produce a winning district record. Clarke was 2-3, DMC sported a 2-4 mark, Red Oak was also 2-3 while Shenandoah finished the slate at 1-4. The Rams averaged 42.5 points per game during the district schedule, out-scoring their opponents by an average of 33.7 points per contest.
Consistency and a bit of generous fortune is what coach Duncan believes will contribute to a possible second straight district title. On paper, the championship is Greene County’s to lose.
“We have to bring it each and every week and with some slightly lower numbers this year, we have to stay healthy,” Duncan said. “Along those same lines, we need some of our younger guys to continue developing so that they can provide some more depth as the year goes on.”
Greene County begins district play Sept. 16 in a homecoming contest against Des Moines Christian.
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