Rams Can’t Tame Tigers in Playoffs

The Glenwood football team’s historic season has come to an end.
Carroll scored a touchdown just a minute into the game, built a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and cruised past a stunned Rams’ squad 42-20 in the opening round of the Class 3A football playoffs last Wednesday.

“That first half on both sides of the ball, we had uncharacteristic mistakes,” said Glenwood coach Cory Faust after the game. “We lined up wrong. We didn’t cover people. Not blocking people. But you have to credit Carroll. They have some really good players and they out-coached us and out-played us.”

The Tigers needed just two plays and 53 seconds to take a 7-0 lead on Glenwood when quarterback Kolby Molinsky connected with Dylan Millermon across the middle for a 75 yard pitch and catch.

Glenwood, however, would respond three minutes later.

Ram quarterback Kolten Wilwerding engineered a five play, 72 yard scoring drive capped by a pass to CarterVon Essen for a 54 yard touchdown toss to knot the score.

But Carroll wasn’t done. On the ensuing possession, the Tigers marched from their own 20 to the Ram 10 to set up a first and goal. Molinsky this time hooked up with Dayton Ross for a touchdown pass. A Ram defender was in perfect position on the play and tipped the ball but Ross came down with the catch.

It was that kind of quarter for the Rams.

After a three-and-out on its next possession, Glenwood punted and the Tigers took over at their own 32. After driving down to the Ram 13, Glenwood’s defense appeared to hold on a third-and-seven but Carroll elected to go for it on fourth down. The gambit paid off as Molinsky connected with Millermom once again on TD pass. After the extra-point, Carroll led 21-7.

The Tigers, who entered averaging 423.7 yards and 32.1 points this season, scored on all three of their first quarter possessions. All game long the Tigers’ no-huddle passing attack challenged Glenwood’s speedy defense by spreading the field putting their wide receivers in one-on-one situations.

“We haven’t played a lot of teams that could get behind us that easy so you have to credit them for their speed and the way they pass protected, we didn’t get much pressure on them,” Faust said. “Carroll has a really good team and they were definitely better than us tonight.”
At the half, Glenwood trailed 28-7 and had netted 86 yards and six punts on seven possessions.

Glenwood came out after halftime and opened the third quarter with what appeared to be their best sustained drive of the game to that point, marching into Tigers territory. But a pair of penalties and a sack stalled the drive and forced their seventh straight punt of the game.
Carroll responded with a quick scoring drive when Molinsky found Millermon for their third TD hook up, this time from 35 yards out. With 8:38 to go, Glenwood trailed 35-7.

But the Rams didn’t just go quietly into the chilly October night. Taking the ball from their own 28, Wilwerding engineered a 12 play, 72 yard drive capped by a three yard touchdown pass to Mavrick Decker.
After Carroll scooped up a Ram onside kick attempt, the Tigers answered with Molinsky’s fourth TD toss of the night to Millermon to make it 42-14, both teams traded punt and then followed with fourth down holds on defense.

Wilwerding found Andrew Blum on a 20 yard TD toss to close the scoring.
For the game, the Tigers out-gained the Rams 489 to 326 with a balanced attack that ground out 260 yards rushing and 229 passing. Molinsky finished his night 10-of-22 for 229 yards and five touchdown passes. Matt Mauk carried 35 times for 218 yards and a TD.

Wilwerding completed 16-of-33 passes for 215 yards and three TDs. Cole Loeffelbein paced the running game with 58 yards on 11 carries.
After a historic season that saw the Rams reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and win a share of the district title for the first time since 1994, Faust was proud of his team’s effort Wednesday and the season.

“I told the kids I was proud of them and I thanked the seniors for all the memories they’ve given us and the community,” Faust said. “They have a lot to be proud of. They’ve raised the bar in Glenwood doing things that haven’t been done in a long time. They’ve definitely left a legacy that we’ll try and build on.”

Scoring Summary
G  07 00 07 06 – 20
C 21  07 14 00 – 42

Game Summary
C: Dylan Millermon, 75 pass from Kolby Molinsky (kick good).
G: Carter Von Essen, 54 pass from Kolten Wilwerding (kick good).
C: Dayton Ross, 10 pass from Molinsky (kick good).
C: Millermon, 13 pass from Molinsky (kick good)
C: Matt Pauk, 3 run (kick good)
C: Millermon, 35 pass from Molinsky (kick good).
G: Mavrick Decker, 3 pass from Wilwerding (kick good).
C: Millermon, 20 pass from Molinsky (kick good).
G: Andrew Blum, 20 pass from Wilwerding (kick failed).