Friday night was the final night of the 2023 season for the Greene County football team. The Rams and Des Moines Christian met on the artificial surface at DMC in Urbandale with the home team winning 34-33. The Lions advance to the Class 2A playoffs as the number three team from District 8 while the Rams end at 1-4 in the district and 3-5 overall with a four game losing streak. After trailing early 7-0 and DMC on the move, Kamden Kinne forced a fumble that was recovered by Gabe Ebersole in the end zone for a touchback, keeping the score 7-0.

After that the Rams had three straight scoring drives of 80, 95, and 80 yards for a 19-7 halftime lead. A touchdown and two point conversion early in the third quarter put the Rams up 27-7, but the Lions made it 27-21 by the end of the third quarter. Another Greene County score made it 33-21, but the Lions scored twice without an answer by the Rams and the home team had the come-from-behind victory with light rain falling. Out of character, the Rams had difficulty with extra points, making just one of four kicks. Two attempts were blocked and another was am errant pass for two points after a low snap on the wet field.

DMC had 493 yards of offense with 397 of that total through the air from senior quarterback Tate Platte on 36-55-1. The Rams had 462 yards of offense with a season best 298 on the ground. Strennen had 125 rushing yards while Nick Stream caught seven passes for 79 yards and Hansen had eight receptions for 77 yards.

Quarterback Gabe Ebersole has been injured from week five on, but he’s played much of the time. He was in for just one second half series, resulting in a 10 yard touchdown pass to Jack Hansen, who also caught a 38 yard TD pass from Strennen on a halfback pass. Strennen also scored on a two yard run before switching to QB after Ebersole went out in the fourth quarter.

The only Greene County turnover of the game eventually resulted in the go-ahead points. The Rams took the ball away twice, on the fumble recovery in the end zone, and the other on a Brock Stream interception.

The Rams will miss the playoffs for the first since 2017, the last time they lost more games than they won.

The game was heard on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvalleytadio.com.