Rams batter Red Oak 49-7

On their second consecutive Homecoming game the Tigers were unable to spoil the Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto (M-V-A-O) Rams’ party, losing 49-7.

After some confusion of when the game was supposed to start, the Tigers arriving for a 6:30 start and the Rams preparing for 7:30, Red Oak players and fans had to wait an extra hour before the beginning of the contest.

“You just got to roll with the punches,” Red Oak head coach Mike Beason said. “I feel bad for the parents that left work early, and the guys had to stand around for an hour, but I don’t think it really affected the outcome of the game.”

The Rams scored first on their opening drive on a 69-yard run by quarterback Chris Oberg with 9:18 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers defense stiffened, keeping the Rams’ offense out of the end zone the rest of the first quarter.

In the closing minutes of the first, freshman quarterback Tanner Johnson led the Tigers deep into M-V-A-O territory.

The drive ended when sophomore running back Seth Esaias lost the ball while pushing for extra yards through the pile.

Rams’ lineback Brandon Burkhart caught the lose ball and returned it for an 81-yard touchdown.

“It was one of those plays where one player was running down the other side of the field, with the ball and 21 other guys have no idea where it went,” Beason said.

M-V-A-O scored again on their next possessionon and twice more before halftime where they led 28-0.

“It was one of those snowball-affect type of games,” Beason said. “We gave them the ball with a short field too many times and we just couldn’t get a break.”

On their first drive of the second half, the Tigers scored their only touchdown of the game on a Cole Meek, 18-yard run followed by a Gilberto Ramos extra point, cutting the lead to 21.

The Tiger defense, led by Esias (13 tackles), Josh Nix (8 tackles), and Jackson Miller (7 tackles) kept the Rams off the board the entire third quarter and only gave up 238 total yards, 230 of which were on the ground.

The Rams (3-2) scored two more touchdowns in the fourth to win their second district game of the season.

Up Next

The Tigers playing their third consecutive Homecoming, but this week in front of their home crowd as they host the Odebolt, Arthur/Battle Creek, Ida Grove (OA-BCIG) Falcons this Friday.

The Falcons were ranked in the top ten earlier this season before losing to M-V-A-O, 22-21, Sept. 18.

The Tigers’ defense will see another tough task as they face one of the states leading rushers, senior running back Chaps Wilcke.

“We’ll be much more physical this week,” Beason said as the Tigers will be returning some of their starters that missed the last game.

Red Oak comes into Homecoming 1-4 and 1-2 in district play.

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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