Rams tumble to 0-3

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Momentum-killing mistakes keep the Scott City Rams winless.

East Prairie took advantage of numerous Scott City turnovers and penalties to pin a 35-14 loss on the Rams at Scott City Friday night. The Eagles (1-2) climbed out of the cellar of the SEMO Conference Southern Division, leaving the Rams (0-3) alone in last place.

"They didn't stop us as much as we stopped ourselves," said Scott City coach Stephen O'Brien. "But the effort was there. They kept battling and that's all we can ask."

After a scoreless first half, East Prairie broke on top when sophomore workhorse Josh Boyer went 43 yards for a touchdown. Boyer carried the ball 34 times for 166 yards.

John Garner, East Prairie coach said, "He played every single down tonight and I told him when he broke one in the first half that I was going to keep giving it to him."

Scott City evened the score at 7-7 on Brad Glenn's 76-yard scamper on a screen pass from Jeremy Glastetter with about six minutes to go in the first half.

With three minutes left, East Prairie's David Heath intercepted Glastetter and rambled 25 yards to the Scott City 15-yard line. Boyer culminated a three-play drive with a 1-yard dive to put the Eagles up 14-7.

In the third quarter, Boyer intercepted Glastetter again as the Rams were moving toward the East Prairie goal line with the ball at the 9-yard line.

Twelve plays later, with Boyer getting most of the carries, the Eagles scored on Boyer's 1-yard run to go ahead 21-7.

Josh Shoffner's interception return for a 35 yard touchdown sent the Eagles up 28-7.

Glenn scored on a 9-yard run to pull the Rams to 28-14, but a final drive by East Prairie ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Chase Brewer to close out the scoring at 35-14.

O'Brien said, "The only thing I know is we're going to keep working hard. We told them they have to play every down like its the last one, because you never know what will happen."

Glenn finished the night with 24 carries for 157 yards.

Scott City held a pregame vigil to remember the lives lost in the horrific tragedy the nation suffered this week. Fans and cheerleaders held candles during a moment of silence.

East Prairie's Boyer, on the tragedy, said, "I think we felt it, but with us being in a small town and everything. It really wasn't that big an impact on our playing or anything like that."