Rams’ Wilwerding, Defense Dominate In Homecoming Win
Kolten Wilwerding tossed a school-record six touchdown passes and the Glenwood defense was stifling in a 42-0 victory over Denison in front of a reporter-estimated crowd of 1,800 on Homecoming Night in Glenwood Friday.
Four of Wilwerding’s record-breaking touchdown passes came in the first half while the Ram defense limited the Monarchs (0-6) to 47 yards on 27 first half plays in cruising to their first 6-0 start in school history.
“I thought we had a good week of practice and the kids have bought into our process and we’re getting better and taking one game at a time,” said Glenwood coach Cory Faust after the game. “That being said, we were a little sloppy tonight. Seemed like had a lot of unforced errors that was not characteristic of us. You have to credit Denison, they did some aggressive things on defense we hadn’t seen before.”
The Rams jumped on the winless Monarchs early and often. After forcing a three-and-out on defense, the Glenwood offense needed just two plays to take the early 7-0 lead when Wilwerding hit a streaking Decker for a 40 yard touchdown toss.
The team traded punts on their next possessions before the Monarchs fumbled a read-option exchange. The Rams’ Aaron Bertini recovered at the Denison 18. Seven plays later, Wilwerding once again connected with Decker on a 4-yard TD pass.
After forcing the Monarchs’ third punt in four possessions, Glenwood marched the ball 52 yards in eight plays, capped by a Wilwerding to Andrew Blum touchdown hookup from 22 yards out.
Another Denison three-and-out gave Glenwood the ball back at the Monarch 39 yard line. Eight plays later, Wilwerding hooked up with Bertini on a seven yard touchdown dart.
The Rams led 28-0 at the break. Denison did not cross into Glenwood territory until their final drive of the half and averaged less than two yards per play in the first two quarters.
Faust credits the strong play of his defensive line in limiting the Monarchs’ ability to mount any inside running game.
“Our defensive line has been solid all year,” Faust said. “They’re physical and they have good size and they all can move their feet and slide to the ball. That’s a real strength of ours.”
After Denison attempted an on-side kick to open the second half, the Rams’ Isiah Carter recovered the ball at the 50. Glenwood responded with a seven play drive, capped by Reagan McFarlin’s snag of Wilwerding pass, to make the score 35-0 and begin the continuous “Mercy Rule” clock the final 14 minutes of the game.
The Rams’ once again used a quick start and a balanced offense to build early leads and cruise to its sixth win of the season. Against Denison, Glenwood finished with 330 total yards (174 passing, 156 rushing). Wilwerding finished 15-of-22 for 174 yards and no interception. Four different Rams all caught touchdowns – including two each for Decker and Blum.
“He did a really good job for us,” Faust said of his junior quarterback. “The thing with Kolten and his passing stats is he is a really good player and he has some really nice targets out there. And the offensive line did a great job giving him time back there.”
The Rams head out on the road Friday to play A-D-M (4-2) in Adel in a district match up.
“Anytime you can win the game on the scoreboard it brings confidence,” Faust said. “Hopefully we can keep buying-in and being hungry. We have a new one game season next week.”