Ringgold takes care of business against AG
MONONGAHELA – If you wanted to see the model of quick, efficient scoring in high school football Friday night, you needed to be at Ringgold’s Joe Montana Stadium.
The Rams put on a veritable display of potent offense, running only 10 plays from scrimmage in the game’s first 22 minutes and scoring on half of them en route to a comfortable 56-7 victory over Albert Gallatin in a Class AAA Big Nine Conference game.
“Good teams take care of business,” said Ringgold head coach Nick Milchovich. “Coming off of two hard-fought games, the kids were a little flat at the start, not a lot of fire or emotion. In the end, we did what we needed to do.”
Despite the scoreline, the game might’ve been determined at least in part by a Ringgold defensive play.
After the Rams (3-1, 4-1) took a 6-0 lead, the Colonials (0-4, 0-5) went on a 12-play, 70-yard drive and had a fourth and goal at Ringgold’s 1-yard line with a chance to take the lead. But on that 12th play, Dante Jamison fumbled and Nico Law emerged from the pile with the ball and in space.
The result was a 99-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and instead of a possible 7-6 Albert Gallatin lead, Ringgold’s advantage grew to 14-0 following the two-point conversion.
“Nico made a great play,” said Milchovich. “It really swung the game.”
From there, the game wasn’t much of a contest, with Ringgold enforcing its will on both sides of the ball. The Rams ran a total of six plays on their next four possessions and twice scored on the first play following a turnover.
What made Ringgold’s offense particularly dangerous was five different players scoring the first five touchdowns. It wasn’t until Chacar Berry’s 55-yard touchdown run – following a Mayson Atkinson interception – that made the score 42-0 five minutes into the second quarter before someone for Ringgold scored a second individual touchdown.
At halftime, Albert Gallatin had run 48 offensive plays to Ringgold’s 10, but the Rams had outgained the Colonials, 244 to 157.
Law did not play in the second half. He needed to throw only five passes, completing four for 129 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed just once for 19 yards. Despite just the six offensive touches, Law left with his team ahead, 42-0.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” Milchovich said. “He’s the straw that stirs the drink.”
Berry, who had 96 yards rushing at halftime, received one carry in the third quarter to get over 100 yards, and he finished with 103 yards on five attempts before he was removed from the game.
“That kid is a hardworking kid,” said Milchovich. “It’s good for him to get some attention because he works so hard. He’s one tough bugger. He’s the kind of kid you pull for. He does everything the right way.”