Sep 1, 2017 3 min read

MONONGAHELA – It is one thing for a defense to know what is coming and be in position to stop a play or player. However, it is an entirely different thing to make a play when needed.

Ringgold coach Nick Milchovich knows that fact all too well after his Rams (0-1, 0-1) took a nasty 48-7 loss on the chin against visiting Big Nine Conference rival Greensburg Salem Friday evening at Joe Montana Stadium. It was a loss that has he and his players searching for answers as they look to rebound next week at Albert Gallatin.

The Lions (1-0, 1-1) scored on their first six possessions and were never threatened all night long.

“We got beat mentally, we got beat physically,” Milchovich said. “We didn’t play well. I give credit to them. They executed, we did not.”

Ringgold’s defense will undoubtedly see visions of Lions quarterback Jacob Hoyle in their dreams all week. The senior torched the Rams for 164 yards on 21 carries. He also added 146 yards through the air on eight completions.

There were many times, especially in the first half, when the Rams seemed to have Hoyle hemmed in for a loss, but the agile quarterback would either slither away for a long rush or a piercing strike for a completion on third down that kept a drive alive and in the process, take some air out of the host Rams.

“It’s all about execution,” Milchovich added. “We’d have him for a sack, then he’d bust off a 25-yard run. We were in position to make plays, we just did not finish.”

Hoyle’s arm was responsible for the Lions first two touchdowns as he found Kevin Braswell and Cavan Trout for 13- and 10-yard scoring strikes, respectively, in the opening quarter.

Hoyle’s one-yard plunge early in the second quarter pushed the Lions lead to 21-0 before Ringgold answered with their lone score of the night.

Bo Haines capped a 47-yard drive midway through the second quarter when he ran into the end zone from four yards. The drive was set up by a 53-yard kickoff return by Darius Tyree. Jack O’Connor’s point after was good, cutting the Lions lead to 21-7.

Hoyle responded emphatically when he found Dajauhan Hertzog in the corner of the end zone from 21 yards, pushing the Lions’ advantage to 28-7 and effectively ending the contest late in the first half.

“We had a little momentum there, but lost it again,” the Ringgold coach said. “Their quarterback is a real good player.”

Joseph Williams , Aaren Putt and backup quarterback Trent Patrick added scores from eight, one and five yards in the second half to close out the scoring.

Milchovich added that the absence running back Tyrese Youngblood hurt the Rams chances as his backfield mate, Brenden Small, was held to 30 yards on 16 carries.

The coach would not comment on what caused Youngblood not to dress for the game, but added that he expects him to return to the lineup in two weeks.