Turnovers play role in Rams loss versus Bearcats

Turnovers play role in Rams loss versus Bearcats Joaquin Sports Wed, 09/11/2024 - 20:02 Image Body

Christopher Bragg

If it could go wrong for the Rams against the Bearcats of Beckville it did this past Thursday night.

To start with, the game was changed last minute to Thursday night from Friday night. The Rams were notified late Wednesday evening that referees were not solidified for a Friday contest and had to play either Thursday or Saturday.

Next it was a drenching rainstorm all night making conditions difficult, to say the least. As for the ball game, the Rams opened up with a solid drive only to fumble with Beckville recovering, thus stopping a potential score. Beckville took advantage of the opportunity and scored first 8-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Rams fumbled again with Beckville once again recovering. The Rams defense stiffened, however, and held the Bearcats out of the end zone. Eventually, the Rams would cash in on a long drive to tie it at 8-8. The teams swapped positions several times with no scores and just before the half the Rams held Beckville to a FG attempt. However, the Rams jumped offsides on defense and gave Beckville another shot. The Bearcats would cash in and led at the half 15-8.

The Rams came out in their 2nd half opening drive and scored a TD, jumping ahead 16-15. After forcing a Beckville punt, Cooper Bragg returned it 60 yards, lighting up the scoreboard and exciting the Ram crowd as the score jumped to 24-15 in Joaquin’s favor.

Then the 4th quarter began and the wheels fell off as Beckville took advantage of more Ram mistakes. Penalties and more fumbles led to the Rams’ demise and with 3:00 remaining in the game Joaquin would fumble again with Beckville scooping and scoring, giving the Bearcats a 28-24 advantage.

The Rams had 3:00 to try some late game magic but with a soaking rain limited both passing games were truly limited. Beckville would ultimately take a knee and come out victorious 2824 in a hard-fought game between two familiar foes.

Justin Brown and Elijah Hardison added the other scores on the night for the Rams. Total yardage would also show it was a close contest, with the Rams gaining 290 total yards to Beckville’s 270 yards. The Rams tallied four costly fumbles on the night, losing them all.