Playoff hopes remain alive for the Greene County High School football team after Friday night’s 35-14 road win in Class 2A District 9 at Red Oak. Coach Mitch Moore’s Rams are 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the district after racking up more than 400 yards of offense and limiting the Tigers’ three-pronged running attack. RO dropped to 4-4 and 2-2.

After a scoreless first quarter, junior Nick Breon started the scoring with a 74 yard punt return for a touchdown early in quarter number two, and the Rams had a lead they would not relinquish. Senior Clint Dennhardt had the first of his two rushing TDs later in the period to make it 14-0. Dennhardt scored from five yards out to finish a 65 yard, six play drive with 2:18 to play in the first half. Moments later, junior quarterback Brent Riley hooked up with fellow junior Carter Morton for a 50 yard TD pass on the only play of the drive and it was 21-0 at halftime.

The lead increased to 27-0 early in the third quarter on a Dennhardt two yard run to cap a drive of eight plays and 58 yards. The extra point was missed. The Tigers answered with the first of their two scoring drives, this one 10 plays covering 80 yards and capped by a Carter Maynes run of 13 yards to make it 27-7 at the end of quarter number three. In the fourth, senior Lance Hughes out jumped a defender for the ball at midfield, then tore down the west sideline for a 75 yard scoring play, and it was 35-7 following a Dennhardt two-point conversion run. The Tigers scored with 4:54 left to play on a 75 yard, eight play drive for the final margin. The TD came on a nine yard pass from Carter Bruce to Isaac Birt. Greene County was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on fourth down and 16 to greatly aid the drive when the Rams would have taken over the ball on downs. The Rams recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

Breon was named the Moo Meat Unsung Hero and Riley earned the Outstanding Player award presented by Fouch Agri-Service.

Riley went 8-15-0 throwing the ball for 274 yards and two TDs. The Rams added 132 on the ground for 406 total yards. Dennhardt led Greene County rushers with 82 yards on 17 carries. Morton had 156 rushing yards. RO had 218 total yards with 126 on the ground and 82 through the air.

The win sets up one of the biggest games at Linduska Field in years when the OABCIG (Ida Grove) Falcons visit Jefferson. OABCIG handed Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) its first district loss by a convincing 47-19 score. The Falcons and Rams have identical marks of 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the district. Kuemper is also 3-1 in district play, and the Knights finish the regular season with winless Shenandoah. If Kuemper wins its game, Greene County cannot win the district title, but they could still make the playoffs by beating OABCIG. The Falcons would win the title if they win in Jefferson. All three teams very much have playoff hopes alive heading into the Oct 19 regular season finale.

Friday’s game was heard  on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvalleyradio.com, as will the Oct. 19 contest at Linduska Field.