Rams flex muscles against Uniontown
MONONGAHELA – After a stinging Week 1 loss at the hands of perennial power Thomas Jefferson last week, the coaches and players on the Ringgold football team wanted to bounce back and show that, despite that result, the Rams are still a team to be reckoned with.
That was bad news for Uniontown.
Ringgold’s big-play capability was on full display early and often as the Rams rebounded nicely with a convincing 56-21 victory over Uniontown in a Class AAA Big Nine Conference game Friday at Joe Montana Stadium.
“We were being called out,” said Ringgold coach Nick Milchovich. “Our toughness was being questioned. There are no excuses. We were outplayed last week.”
Perhaps knowing what he was up against, Red Raiders coach John Fortugna made a daring decision on the game’s opening possession by going for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 29-yard line. Lyric Ellis was stuffed on a quarterback sneak, and it took Ringgold (1-1, 1-1) just two plays to score.
Nico Law’s first touch was a sign of things to come, as he burst through the line of scrimmage for a 22-yard run. On the next play, he hit Jacob Gerard for a 7-yard touchdown toss.
“I think (Fortugna) maybe wanted to send a message,” Milchovich said. “But we came up with a big stop.”
The Rams forced another three-and-out, and Law wasted no time, scampering 53 yards on Ringgold’s next offensive play for a 14-0 lead.
Uniontown (0-2, 0-2) wasn’t ready to go away just yet and cut the deficit in half by converting a fourth-and-9, with Ellis scrambling and finding an open Nate Guerriere in the end zone for 17 yards.
Those were the last points Ringgold would allow for a long time. The Rams’ next two scoring drives lasted all of one play, with Chacar Berry doing the damage this time, scoring first on a 56-yard run then a 16-yard score after a turnover.
As potent as Law and Berry were on the ground, Ringgold’s attack also was dangerous through the air. Law connected with Dalton Holt on a pair of touchdown passes, one shortly before halftime and one midway through the third, to boost the lead to 42-7 and invoke the mercy rule.
“Nico is an athlete, and I hate using the word ‘athlete’ because I don’t think it gives him full credit,” said Milchovich. “He’s a good quarterback. Those guys, him and Chacar, played a heck of a game.”
Berry and Law gained more than 100 yards on the ground. Law led the way with 132 yards on only nine attempts, while Berry needed just eight carries to gain 122 yards.
Law’s final passing numbers were 11 of 16 for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Holt hauled in three passes for 76 yards.
Arian Washington gained 104 yards on 32 carries for Uniontown.