Under hot and humid conditions at Carroll Athletic Field, the Greene County Rams began the 2023 high school football season with a 20-0 loss vs. the Carroll High Tigers. Junior quarterback Carter Esssick threw for three touchdowns 138 yards on 10 of 16 passing with one pass picked off by Camden Strennen. The Carroll QB also ran for 87 yards on eight carries. Carter Ludwig led the Tigers on the ground with 134 yards on 14 attempts. the game was heard on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvalleyradio.com.

The Rams were out gained 403 to 213 and QB Gabe Ebersole accounted for much of the yardage with 88 yards on the ground on 13 carries and 104 threw the air, going 14 of 28 with one interception. Ebersole ran 62 yards on the first play of the game from scrimmage, but two plays later the Rams lost the ball via fumble. Jack Hansen was the top receiver with seven catches for 68 yards. Noah Cornell and Gavin Scheuermann had fumble recoveries.

The Battle for the Cowbell is Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Perry at Linduska Field in Jefferson on KG98 and www.raccoonvalleyracio.com at 7 p.m. Perry won its opener vs. Des Moines Hoover 33-12.