For the 92nd time, high school football teams based in Jefferson and Perry met in the annual “Battle for the Cowbell.” The series actually dates back to 1898, with the Rotary Clubs from Jefferson and Perry introducing an actual cowbell in 1928. Friday’s meeting was at Dewey Field in Perry with Greene County winning 61-0, their fifth straight victory in the series, and fourth shut out in a row. When playing for the cowbell, the Rams lead 61-29-2. Coach Caden Duncan’s team improved to 2-0 while the Blue Jays fell to 0-3 in the contest, heard on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvalleyradio.com.
Greene County led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter and 33-0 at halftime. It was 47-0 entering the fourth quarter. The Rams had 144 yards passing and 141 on the ground for 285 total yards. Perry mustered 82 total yards on offense including just 14 in the opening half. The Rams reached double figures in tackles for loss led by returning All-State defensive tackle Michael Rumley.
Tight end Jesse Miller scored three touchdowns with two from Richard Daugherty, and one each by Jack Hansen, Gabe Ebersole, and Camden Strennen. In addition, Nathan Behne had a 33 yard field goal to open the scoring, and the Rams scored a safety when a punt snap was recovered in the end zone by the Blue Jays.
Gavin Scheuermann recovered a Perry fumble early, then he forced a fumble in the second quarter, which Miller picked up and ran 17 yards for a TD. Cody Allen also recovered a Perry fumble.The Rams lost a muffed punt for their only turnover, but for the second straight game did not turn the ball over from the line of scrimmage. Also, the for second straight contest, Greene County returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown. Richard Daugherty did it on opening night and Strennen followed suit on Friday with a return of 82 yards. That put the lead beyond the 35 point continuous clock margin, which the rest of the game was played under.
The Rams meet Kuemper Catholic on Sept. 9 at Carroll Athletic Field at 7 p.m. on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvlleyradio.com.
Scoring summary: 8:29 (1) Nathan Behne 33 field goal, 3-0. 6:22 (1) Jesse Miller 24 pass from Gabe Ebersole (Behne PAT), 10-0. 9:12 (2) Richard Daugherty 1 run (Behne PAT), 17-0. 6:58 (2) Safety on punt snap Perry recovered in its end zone, 19-0. 5:11 (2) R. Daugherty 17 pass from Ebersole (Behne PAT), 26-0. 2:37 (2) Miller 17 fumble return forced by Gavin Scheuermann (Behne PAT), 33-0. 11:47 (3) Camden Strennen 82 kickoff return (Behne PAT), 40-0. 5:09 (3) Miller 8 pass from Ebersole (Behne kick), 47-0. 10:40 (4) Jack Hansen 28 pass from Ebersole (Behne PAT), 54-0. 2:43 (4) Ebersole 4 run (Behne PAT), 61-0.