In a high school football season where footballs have filled the air, the Greene County Rams relied heavily on the ground game to defeat Clarinda High School 28-21 on Oct. 5 at Linduska Field in Jefferson. The Rams, now 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Class 2A District 8, ran for a season best 226 yards on 45 carries including 162 yards on 27 carries by senior running back Mitchell Madson. At times this season the running game was virtually non-exixtent, but that was’t the case against the Cardinals (1-6, 1-3). Madson had a nearly touchdown run of four yards and he scored the game-winner from seven yards out with just 40 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Rams led 14-7 at the half, but senior Dakota Woods of Clarinda returned the second half kickoff 85 yards for a TD and the extra point tied the game. The Cardinals took a 21-4 lead late in the third quarter when Woods found sophomore receiver Jett Kettwick for a 24-yard coring play. The TD catch was Kettwick’s second of the game and sixth of the season. He also had one in the first half.

Greene County responded by putting together a 67-yard, 15 play scoring drive capped by senior QB Tory Beger’s one-yard run on fourth and goal with six minutes to play. Sophomore Colton Fitzpatrick tied the game with an extra point kick. The defense held the Cardinals to a three-and out, which set up the game winning drive, covering 10 plays and 61 yards.

Beger connected with junior T. J. Lint late in the first half for a 43-yard touchdown pass to put the Rams up at the half. Senior Reed Ostrander caught a conversion pass from Beger to give Greene County a 14-7 advantage.

The Rams travel to Clarinda Academy on Oct. 12 for the final road game of the regular season. Game time on KG98 is 7 p.m. with coverage starting at 6 p.m.