Turnovers and penalties often determine the outcome of football games and Greene County was on the wrong end of both, losing to Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday night in Jefferson at Linduska Field, 28-13, in a game heard on KG98 and www.raccoonvalleyradio.com. The Rams fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter of their Homecoming game, eventually battling back to 21-13, and scored an apparent touchdown, only to see one of nine penalties wipe it off the board. Three turnovers resulting in 21 points for the Cadets hurt Greene County as well, especially since IF-A did not turn the ball over. The Rams had more yards (282) than IF-A (209), and more first downs (13-9), but the miscues were too much to overcome as the Rams fell to 0-5 on the season and 0-3 in Class 3A District 2. The Cadets improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the district.

With 8:00 to go in the first quarter the Rams fumbled on their goal line and the ball was recovered by Grayson Cutler for the first touchdown of the game. Jonah Zaimes kicked the extra point to make it 7-0. Fullback Michael Kent scored the first of his two TDs with 1:50 to go in period one on a run of 24 yards. Moments later, a second defensive TD for the Cadets put them up 21-0 when Logan Ward intercepted a pass and returned it 41 yards.

The Rams haven’t scored more than 19 points in any game this season and the deficit proved too much to overcome, although they made it interesting. Ram senior Trey Tucker ran 28 yards for a touchdown with 9:55 to go in the first half. The extra point try was blocked. The Rams had a first and goal late in the half, then went backwards and later missed a 31-yard field goal try. Tucker scored again, this time from seven yards out, with 3:28 to play in the third quarter and the extra point by Nick Schroeder made it 21-13. Tucker ran the ball 38 yards into the end zone with 11:45 to go in the game, but a holding penalty brought it back and the Rams failed to score. IF-A’s Kent scored with 7:31 to go on a run of four yards after the Rams were held on downs for the final TD of the night.

Greene County had 282 yards of offense to 209 for IF-A, and the Rams had 13 first downs to nine for the Cadets. Greene County was penalized nine times for 68 yards and IF-A was flagged eight times for 72.

The Rams had their best rushing night of the season with Tucker gaining 110 yards on 18 carries and sophomore quarterback Clint Dennhardt running 16 times for 96 yards. Greene County was just five for 23 throwing the ball for 23 yards and two interceptions. In all, the Rams turned the ball over three times to no turnovers for IF-A.

Up next is a Sept. 30 game in Boone, which can be heard on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvalleyradio.com.