–Roberson starts slowly, then pound the Patriots
15 September 2007By Greg Bolvi
SKYLAND - September 14, 2007 - Perhaps the TC Roberson Rams were suffering from a bit of the letdown virus after last week’s emotional victory over rival Reynolds. After all, it was seven days ago that L. Guy Ensley Stadium was the scene of an overflow crowd of more than 5,000 rabid fans. However, this week’s game between Freedom and Roberson featured a lot of enthusiasts dressed as empty bleachers as rainy conditions kept attendance down. However, the cream always rises to the top, and the Rams used their trademark defense to shut down the Patriots’ offense 33-6.
Roberson forced six Freedom turnovers, and only allowed the visitors one scoring opportunity, thoroughly dominating field position and time of possession.
Yet, the Rams wasted three scoring chances inside the red zone and the first quarter ended in a 0-0 stalemate, even though Freedom didn’t run their first play from scrimmage until 6:31 remained in the initial stanza.
Freedom’s first miscue ocurred when the Patriot’s punt returner mishandled a Walker Smith punt and the ball was recovered by Nathaniel Balcom on the Freedom 33. The Rams took the ball to the 13, but lost a first down on an aiding the ball carrier penalty, then lost the ball on downs when they failed to convert a 4th and six on the Patriot’s 17.
The Rams got the ball back four plays later when Josh Gossett recovered Ethan Kincaid’s second fumble of the game on the visitor’s 22 yard line It took running back Justin Wynn two plays to reach the end zone–the last 13 on a TD run off right tackle. Smith’s PAT put the Rams up 7-0 with 10:44 left in the second quarter.
The special teams play of the Patriots almost let them down again when the kickoff by Smith was again fumbled, but this time the Pats recovered the ball. Freedom began a drive downfield, but again were thwarted, thanks to a quarterback sack by Gossett and Brandon Green.
The ensuing punt was returned by Artis Gilmore to the Freedom 28, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set the Rams upon their opponent’s 14 yard line. Roberson was unable to find the end zone, and had to settle for a 24 yard field goal by Smith. The half ended 10-0 as both teams couldn’t move the ball, and Smith missed a field goal as time expired.
After failing to move the ball in the first possession of the second half, Freedom punted again to Gilmore, and his 39 yard return gave the Rams great field position on the Patriots’ 21. The visitors held on downs four plays later, only to give the ball back thanks to Chandler Wrightenberry’s leaping interception on the Pats’ 43. Seven plays later, Smith split the uprights from 29 yards away to boost the Rams’ lead to 13-0.
The Patriots’ kickoff team again had issues as the kick returner was leveled by Austin Price and Cecyll Underwood recovered the loose ball. A 17 yard pass from Tripp Weaver to Chris Morgan advanced the ball to the two yard line, and Gossett scored on the next play. The two point conversion was unsuccessful.
It was another three and out for the frustrated Freedom bunch, and Roberson used only five plays against the tired Patriot defense to tally again.. The drive was highlighted by Weaver’s 29 yard hookup with Morgan, which preceeded a one yard TD by Wynn.
Led by backup quarterback Bo Taylor, the Pats finally dented the Rams’ defense for a score. Taylor connected with 6′4" end Iasiah King for 22 yards over the middle, then Taylor gave the ball twice to Taylor Smith. The speedy back twice outran Roberson defenders, for gains of 18 and 17 yards, the latter attempt resulting in Freedom’s only score.
The Rams came back on their next possession, and controlled the ball and the clock.thanks to a ground game that featured Wynn and R.C. Crenshaw. The duo accounted for 54 of the 64 yards to paydirt, with Crenshaw bulling his way to score the game’s final points with 5:36 left in the fourth quarter.
A final indication of how the game went all night for both teams–Roberson had to punt with 1:43 remaining from their own 43. The snap was high, and Walker Smith made an acrobatic one-handed snag of the football to keep it from going over his head.
Then, seeing an onrushing lineman coming at him, Smith sidestepped the defender, and punted with his left foot instead of his right. The 19 yard punt hit a Patriot, and was recovered by the Rams. Roberson then ran out the clock.
Wynn led all ball carriers with 107 rushing yards on 28 carries. He scored a pair of touchdowns. Weaver completed 9 of 13 passes for 104 yards. Freedom’s Taylor Smith was the Patriots’ lone bright spot on offense, as he gained 80 yards on 11 carries while scoring once.
Coach Jim Beatty lauded his Rams’ defensive effort as a key to the win. The Pats’ Jason Watson lamented his team’s turnovers, and commended Roberson for playing well on both sides of the ball.
The Rams remained unbeaten with their fourth straight win; the Patriots are still looking for some answers at 0-3.
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