Scott
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Injuries and a mostly inconsistent offense have kept Shepherd University from scoring much in the first three games of the season.
Even without the lengthy highlight reel of the touchdown celebration, the Rams continued their strong run in the last minute with an interception and return score last Saturday at Monte Cater Field, ultimately defeating visiting Penn. They remain 2-1 overall after a 27-9 loss to West Clarion.
Leading by a slim 14-9 margin and with Clarion in possession, the Rams’ defense splurged on two last-minute interception return scores to seal the win on a humid and physically taxing afternoon. dispelled deep-seated doubts.
Clarion still had a realistic chance with only about a minute left on the clock.
However, Ram defenders Myles Grier and Cole Scott intercepted the pass and both finished in the Golden Eagle end zone, scoring Shepherd’s final points.
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Shepherd’s defense claimed control on the afternoon much earlier, but the team’s measly 14 points weren’t enough to stop Clarion from chasing the win.
All concerns about the outcome of the game were put to rest when Grier made an interception and returned it for a touchdown, bringing a collective sense of relief to those in the crowd of 4,291 who were rooting for Shepard.
Then, on the final play of the afternoon, as the scoreboard clock ticked down with seconds remaining, Scott stole a base and, to cheers, sped 79 yards for the extra point.
In a matter of moments, Sheppard nearly doubled his point total and carries positivity the short distance up Interstate 81 to Shippensburg for tomorrow’s conference game at 1 p.m. I was able to achieve a victory that helped me.
Barry Hill’s 35-yard TD carry put Shepherd ahead 7-0 in the first half. Clarion’s field goal cut the lead to 7-3, but Jordan Barnett and Malachi Brown lost a Shepard fumble deep in Ram territory.
Shepard’s solid defense kept them from scoring despite the lost fumble. They had established themselves as the most reliable unit in the game.
In the first half, both teams showed effective punting and no points were scored.
Quarterback Reck Powell used effective protection and single-handedly found receiver Cam Dorner for an 85-yard pass/run TD, giving the Rams even more breathing room with a 14-3 lead.
Clarion’s only scoring drive of the day went over 76 yards, and the mood among Ram officials was even more stingy as the count partially dissolved into a 14-9 Shepard advantage as the Rams intercepted a two-point conversion attempt. did.
All of the previous events combined to leave the outcome of the match still in doubt.
Ryan Barrick’s final punt put the visitors within their own 10 points and the Golden Eagles were far from winning.
The Ram defense, still struggling, recorded its sixth sack. On fourth down with 1:15 left, more pressure came on and Grier took a desperate throw over the middle for six points. The tension eased as they led 21-9.
Scott again grabbed Shepard’s interception and didn’t stop running until there was no playing time on the scoreboard.
Clarion was limited to 66 rushing yards and 263 total offensive yards. Shepard added the names of Brody Carroll, Elijah Queen, and Gio-Di Tolbert to his ever-growing list of talented defenders.
The defense was a sweaty champion against Clarion. And Shepard had prepared a list of seven PSAC East teams to compete against.
