Second half surge lifts Rams
Another slow start, another second half comeback for Glenwood.
A week after sputtering to a 3-0 half time deficit before rallying for a 14-13 win, the Rams got down 14-7 on the road Friday at Dallas Center-Grimes before exploding for 22 second half points and a shutout on defense in a 35-14 victory in Grimes.
Glenwood coach Cory Faust said he felt like this was the best game his 3-1 team has played to date this season.
“I thought our defense played really well for most of the game,” Faust said. “From our defensive backs to the defensive line, we were pretty sound and guys made plays. We can still be more consistent in the mental game. If we can do that and get some guys more healthy, we will be really tough to play against.”
Faust commended the plays of his secondary, singling out Ryan Leath, Jon Lee, Brock Smith and Ryan Blum as guys that didn’t necessarily have showy stats but were able to lock down receivers and were a huge part of the defense’s success.
“Our secondary has been outstanding despite some bad luck with injuries this year,” he said
The Rams turned the ball over twice in the opening half and the Mustangs turned both into touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter. But Glenwood would use a turnover of their own to take back the momentum – if not the lead – heading into halftime when Cooper Silvius picked off a Garret Morris pass and returned in 23 yards for a touchdown.
Glenwood would miss the extra-point and trailed just 14-13 after an uneven first two quarters.
It would take the Rams just 49 seconds to take the lead after intermission when Dominic Robertson raced 76 yards to the end zone. A Zach Carr two-point conversion gave Glenwood a 21-14 lead.
In the fourth, Carr would add would another TD scamper, this time from seven yards out, and Colton Schutte one of his own from 27 yards out to complete the scoring. For the game, Glenwood ground out a season-best 377 yards on the ground. Both Robertson (123 yards on 11 carries) and Schutte (148 on 11) picked up the first 100 yard rushing games of their careers.
Carr would finish 3-of-7 passing for 42 yards. He added 38 yards and two TDs rushing.
Offensively, Faust felt the Rams were “a couple mistakes from a dominating for four quarters.”
“The second half showed the potential this team has,” the coach said. “Our offensive staff has done a great job adjusting some things and really maximizing our talent. I think we’re just getting started and look forward to more success here.”
The Rams’ defense dominated the line of scrimmage all game long. After giving up 65 yards in the first half, Glenwood’s “dirty D” was better in the second, allowing just 19 yards after halftime.
Brett Mower led the defense with eight tackles and Silvius added three solo stops to go with his first interception of the season.
The Rams (3-1) host Winterset (1-3) for its homecoming football game Friday. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at Ram Memorial Field.
“Nothing really changes for us as we still just need to focus on the things we can control - attitude, effort, preparation, and caring for each other,” Faust said. “If we give it our best shot in those areas, good things will follow. Winterset is a very athletic team, and it will be a fun challenge to compete with them on our Homecoming week. It will be important that we stay focused.”