Sep 20, 2014 4 min read

WEST MIFFLIN – Expectations were high for Ringgold entering the season with the return of senior quarterback Nico Law and an offensive line that averages 291 pounds.

Three weeks after the Rams looked overmatched against Thomas Jefferson, they lived up to their reputation Friday night against West Mifflin. Whether it was senior Aaron Szakal sacking Titans quarterback Karlyn Garner or junior Daylen Penn finishing a textbook block to spring running back Chacar Berry for a long run, Ringgold looked dominant up front.

Behind the play of the linemen and the combination of Law and Berry, Ringgold defeated West Mifflin, 40-6, in a WPIAL Class AAA Big Nine Conference game.

“It may be that Thomas Jefferson and Ringgold are just the two best teams in this conference,” West Mifflin head coach Ray Braszo said. “It’s hard to beat a team when they are that big up front and they just pushed us around.”

West Mifflin (2-1, 3-1) took a gamble by choosing to receive to start the game. After the Rams’ offensive line helped Law and Berry give Ringgold (2-1, 3-1) a 14-0 halftime lead, the move backfired.

It did not take Law long to capitalize. Six plays after the opening second-half kick-off, he threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Dalton Holt to give the Rams a 21-0 lead.

Law threw a six-yard touchdown pass to junior Jordan Briscoe on the Rams’ next drive and followed that with a 54-yard touchdown run. He finished with 51 passing yards, 93 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

“Our linemen stepped up big,” Law said. “We really just kept gashing them with runs and we’d open it up with a pass. We saw West Mifflin is a second half team so we kept running it and then turned to the passing game.”

Berry was exceptional for the second straight week. After an impressive sophomore season a year ago, he has found his niche as the Rams’ every-down back. With a quick first step and relentless running style, Berry finished Ringgold’s night with his second touchdown to give the Rams a 40-0 lead. Berry finished with 27 carries for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’ve got to thank my line for that one,” Berry said with a grin. “We’ve been working all week for this moment. It starts with the guys up front. I like to have a good start and play a full four quarters.”

Behind an offensive line, which was missing starting right tackle Bobby Duda, the Rams did against the Titans what they could not against Thomas Jefferson in Week 1 – dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

With a seven-point lead in hand after a 38-yard touchdown run by Law, Ringgold prevented West Mifflin senior running back DiAngelo Mitchell from finding room to run and Garner was often under duress. While Mitchell rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries, he was largely contained. When he was able to find room, the Rams’ linebackers and defensive backs were able to prevent a big play.

After several penalties stalled its two previous drives, Ringgold’s offense marched into field position behind two runs by Law and Berry took over from there – picking up a critical third-and-one before finding the end zone. His five-yard touchdown run gave the Rams a 14-0 lead heading into the half and they never looked back.

“This was pretty much a playoff game for us,” Berry said. “We’re going to watch the film tomorrow and put this one behind us. It’s time to get back to work and get ready for the rest of the season.”