Greene County lost its high school football season opening game on Friday night when Class 1A South Central Calhoun (Lake City) went home with a 12-6 non-district victory in Jefferson at Linduska Field. Both teams were in Class 2A last year, but the Rams moved up a class to 3A while the Titans dropped down a class. Coach Bryan Case’s team jumped out to a 12-0 lead just three minutes and 33 seconds into the contest. Jeff King opened the scoring with a 19 yard run up the middle with 10:17 to play in the opening quarter. The extra point kick attempt was wide left and SCC led 6-0. The Rams first pass attempt of the season was intercepted by Derrick Henkenius and returned 70 yards for a TD. A pass attempt for the conversion points failed and the visiting team led 12-0 with 8:33 to play in the opening period.

The score stayed 12-0 until 6:39 was left to play in the game. Riah Nelsen scored on a run of 12 yards for the only points for the Rams. Greene County had a low snap on the extra point kick attempt, and tried to run the ball into the end zone, but the try failed and it was 12-6. JC Weitl recovered a fumble to set the Rams up at the Titans’ 15 and it took Greene County just two plays to score.

With just under three minutes to play the Rams had moved into SCC territory and completed a pass to the nine yard line for an apparent first and goal, but a loss of down penalty for an ineligible receiver down field wiped out the play and the Rams were held on downs. The Titans were then able to run out the clock for the season opening victory.

Penalties were a story line for both teams. The Rams were flagged 10 times and the Titans eight. Greene County had a touchdown late in the third quarter wiped out by a holding call and SCC had three penalties of the 15 yards variety.

In addition to the pass interception for a TD, the Rams also lost the ball on a fumble at the SCC 10 on a third down and eight play. Although not technically a turnover, the Rams lost out on the opening possession of the second half when the Titans executed an on-side kick to start the third quarter and recovered the ball at Greene County’s 43 yard line. SCC marched down the field, but the Greene County defense held on downs on fourth and goal at the one. The Rams put together a 15 play drive that included the holding penalty that wiped out a run into the end zone by quarterback Daric Whipple, which would have resulted in a 99 yard scoring drive. Instead, the SCC defense held on downs as the third quarter came to a close.

The Rams out gained the Titans 242 yards to 170. Greene County senior running back Dylan Hamilton led all rushers with 105 yards on 20 carries, and Whipple threw for 105 yards.

Next up for the Rams is a trip to Carroll to face Kuemper Catholic on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Knights lost 34-0 to Carroll High on Friday night. Coverage of the Greene County vs. Kuemper Catholic game is set to begin at 6:45 p.m. on KG98.

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