Rams bounce back with 41-15 win

Glenwood bounced back from a lopsided loss a week ago with a 41-15 win over Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson in Class 4A, District 6 football Friday at Wickersham Athletic Complex in Council Bluffs.

The Rams (6-2) trailed 7-0 after a quarter following a Jayden Fujii to Braxton Parks touchdown toss and the game was a tied at just 7-7 at halftime.

But Glenwood would adjust at halftime and explode for three third quarter touchdown drives while shutting the Yellowjackets out in the frame.

“A lot of players did a lot of good things throughout the game, but we did not perform or execute at the standard we want to consistently,” said Glenwood coach Cory Faust. “I know we can be better than we’ve been playing.”

Outside of giving up a big pass play to the Yellowjackets early in the game, Faust said his defense played well. 

“TJ’s offense does a nice job and they were able to possess the ball for a lot of the first half,” he said. “We got a little more aggressive in the second half and our ability to pressure the offensive line and quarterback, as well as our ability to play tighter coverage helped us separate in the second half.”

Faust also said Dylan Powles did a nice job organizing the Ramas’ defense against TJ’s no huddle offense while pursuing the ball really well. 

The Rams out-yarded Thomas Jefferson 461 to 264. The Yellojackets were limited to 35 yards rushing on 19 carries.

Offensively, Faust thought his team moved the ball well throughout the game, but didn’t finish drives in the first half like he knows they are capable of.  

“Our skill players executed well, but our line play stood out to me,” Faust said. “(Offensive lineman) Jordan Taylor, Josh Taylor, Todd Schmitt, Drake Buthe, and Mason Koehler were dominant.  Mason coming in and playing guard for Trace Johnson, a position he hasn’t practiced, when Trace went down early in game, was really important.  Mason was dominant on both sides of the ball again, and we’ll need to continue to see that if we’re going to be the type of team we can be.”  

Scott Reed led the ground attack with 179 yards and three touchdown on 24 carries. For the game, the Rams rushed for 282 yards on 40 carries (7.1 per carry).

Ben Carlo completed 15-of-25 passes for 174 yards and a 28 yards touchdown toss to Kaden Crouch. Crouch finished with 51 yards on three grabs.

The Rams close out their regular season at home Friday hosting Boone (2-6) at the Glenwood Activities Complex. Kickoff is schedule for 7 p.m.