Rams set up district showdown

Like he has for much of the season, Scott City senior running back Matt Schaefer's feet carried the Rams to a win.

Instead of his running, though, it was Schaefer's kicking which helped Scott City ease past Crystal City 19-6 at home Friday night to improve to 2-0 in Class 2 District 2 play.

Schaefer kicked field goals of 23 and 26 yards in the fourth quarter to give the Rams a 13-6 lead they would not let go.

With howling winds and a less than ideal spot on the first field goal, Schaefer said he was pleased to be able to put the kicks through.

"The first one I didn't think I was going to make it because from the left side I'm not real good," he said.

Added Scott City coach Terry Flannigan, "We told Schaefer how to kick it with the wind and he did."

The win puts the Rams in a district title showdown with Charleston on Thursday at Charleston. The Blue Jays improved to 2-0 in the district with a 33-0 win over Grandview.

"Charleston is loaded for bear," Flannigan said. "We have to go in and play our best just to have a chance."

Scott City (8-1) got the ball to start the game on Friday and quickly pushed the ball down the field. Rams quarterback Mark Johnston completed a pair of passes to lead Scott City into the red zone. However, Johnston's third pass attempt was picked off in the end zone.

Starting from their own 5-yard line, the Hornets proceeded to go 85 yards on 21 plays to set up a good scoring chance midway through the second quarter. Johnston redeemed himself on defense by making an acrobatic interception on a fourth-and-goal play from the 10.

"That was a big momentum builder for us," Flannigan said.

After the interception, Scott City's offense put together another long drive which ended in the first touchdown of the game. Scott City drove 89 yards on 14 plays, mixing Schaefer runs with Johnston passes. Johnston capped the drive off with a 1-yard sneak. Scott City led 7-0 at halftime.

Crystal City's lone bright spot on offense came after a botched Scott City field goal snap in the third quarter. Cody DeRousse took advantage of some poor tackling and scored on an 80-yard run, but Crystal City missed the extra point.

Scott City's special teams made some big plays after the DeRousse touchdown. Schaefer's first field goal gave the Rams some breathing room, and then Dane Gibson forced a fumble on the following kickoff to set up Schaefer's second field goal.

Flannigan said the fumble recovery on the kickoff was huge.

"That was a big play. We had the opportunity other times when the ball was on the ground, but we got that one," he said.

Schaefer rushed for 115 yards on 28 carries, including a 16-yard touchdown run to finish the scoring. Schaefer has rushed for 100 yards in every game this season. Johnston completed 9-of-13 passes for 111 yards.