Week 3 Football: 68 AND OH SO GREAT
By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
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This feeling was a long time in the making.
Last week’s blowout of historic proportions powered Greene County to its first 3-0 start in more than a decade.
A school-record 68 points gave way to the biggest margin of victory in school history as the now seventh-ranked Rams hammered Saydel, 68-0 Sept. 7 in Des Moines, vaulting themselves into the upper-echelon of 2A.
It’s a drastic heel turn from a mere 12-months ago, as the Rams often found themselves on the wrong side of blowouts en route to a 1-8 record, the worst of which was a 41-7 shellacking at the hands of Harlan last September.
Last week was a completely different story, as Greene County waltzed their way to victory in the school’s most decisive win to date. The complete performance was once again aided by the now vaunted defense, as the Rams forced eight turnovers while holding Saydel to just 42 yards, a total that could’ve been much lower if not for a late 74-yard gain that put the Eagles in positive territory.
As a team, the Rams scored nine touchdowns, tallying 429 total yards of offense, including 289 rush yards on just 17 carries, a staggering 17 yards per carry average.
Senior Clint Dennhardt led the way offensively with four total touchdowns, including three on the ground, piling up 132 rushing yards on just five carries, a 26.4 yards per carry average.
Running back Colby Kafer scored his second 85 yard or longer touchdown in two games, ripping off a 91 yard jaunt in which he broke free of a group of tacklers and out ran the Saydel defense for a score.
The junior tailback finished with 117 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, good for a 16.7 yards per carry average.
Being on the other end of lopsided contests is a welcome breath of fresh air, though nothing the Rams didn’t expect, Greene County senior Trey Hinote said, who returned an interception for a touchdown in Friday’s win.
“None of us are really all that surprised,” the two-way player said, who also poses a threat as Greene County’s slot receiver. “Just because we’ve been playing football all year round for the last two years ever since coach (Mitch) Moore has been here.”
Hinote and his fellow senior classmates aren’t exactly used to winning. In fact, the 2019 class has won just nine football games since third grade, so that winning feeling is something they’ve come to cherish three weeks into the year.
“We’ve never really won, it feels good,” Hinote said. “We want to be humble and hungry, but we still want to celebrate.”
Seeing all the hard work come to fruition while enduring mountains of pain and suffering is quite rewarding, fellow senior Brock Wuebker said, who recovered a team-high three fumbles while recording a pair of sacks in Des Moines. He also helped anchor the dominating offensive line which paved the way for Kafer and Dennhardt. Losing can often break the will of even the most sturdy of athletes. Having a trust in the culture kept the Rams chugging along.
“It’s a process,” he said. “It’s different from where we came last year to this year. All the hard and extra work we’ve been doing is finally paying off.”
So where’s this breakout come from? It can’t all just be due to better execution and maturity, can it? Greene County’s three wins have already surpassed their win total over the last two years combined. From 2015-2016, the Rams compiled just a 2-16 record. To be standing undefeated, ranked seventh in the state is a testament to their hard work.
Hinote points to the offseason grind through second-year head coach Mitch Moore’s strength and conditioning program. He feels it’s what has taken the Rams to the next level. In years past, Greene County may have broken down at the tail end of games, conceding long runs and big plays. It’s their newfound ability to outlast opponents that has really been a shining light.
“We’ve always been athletic, but obviously the weight room, that’s the thing,” Hinote said. “We’ve all gotten stronger. Last year we were athletic, but now we’re actually stronger and we’re faster. All that put together with the dedication.”
Greene County’s statistics are astounding and never seem to end. The Rams have scored 16 total touchdowns, which is tied for third in 2A. They are averaging eight yards per play, which ranks them seventh in 2A. Their 40 points per game average – generously padded by Friday’s monster blowout – is fifth in 2A. They are seventh in the state in total yards (1,167) led by Brent Riley’s 627 passing yards (fifth in 2A).
In Greene County’s last two wins, they’ve beat Nevada and Saydel by 96 total points. It would be easy for any team to get over confident at this point, especially for a program that’s been so down trodden the last few years. But, the guys handled Friday’s blowout win with extreme grace, coach Moore said.
“I was really proud of the kids how they handled the win. They weren’t showboating and they weren’t rubbing it in their face,” the coach said. “They handled it with really good class. They were good sports throughout the game.”
Last week’s victory marked the third straight win to open the year, a winning streak which hasn’t been seen locally in quite some time. That winning culture he constantly preaches is starting to make an appearance, Moore said.
“I said this from day one this season, we’ve got to learn how to win,” the coach said. “I think this is another step in learning how to win and doing it the right way.”
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