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2001
RAMS ARE READY TO LASSO COWBOYS IN PROVINCIAL FINALS
If there is one thing a team which prepares as heavily as the Sherwood Park Rams can't stand, it is going into a championship game completely blind.
But that was exactly what happened last Saturday as they traveled north to face Grande Prairie for the Northern Alberta Bantam football title. They were unable to get a tape of their opponents to study and were unable to prepare specific tactics and plays to use against their opponents. It's a good thing they are playing so well they can win with their eyes closed.
The Rams walked to a 37-8 victory as Ryan Meraw scored three touchdowns and additional major was added by David Ehrler and Dan Heaton. It was just another piece of the puzzle for the Rams who have not lost a game all season.
“Our defense played terrific and gave us good field position,” said Rams head coach Jim Skitsko. “We scored on our third possession and never looked back from there. To be frank the score likely flattered the other team.”
The Rams return to the provincial finals to try and win their third Alberta title in the last five years. Their opponents will be the Calgary Cowboys who surprised the dangers Raymond Jr. Comets 32-12 to earn the right to face the Rams in Saturday's final in Edmonton. After a perfect season to this point Skitsko knows his team will not be scared of the southern representatives.
“I would describe our players as quietly confident. They are very excited about the opportunity of being in the provincials again. We'll be ready for them, no question.”
By the end of the game the Sherwood Park Rams looked like they had been run over by a train.
And they had been.
A kid named Choo Choo Cheng.
The Rams had history on their side as they came up against the Calgary Cowboys in the Bantam provincial finals at Foote Field on Saturday. No Calgary team had won a provincial champion-ship in the modern era. The Calgary kids obviously weren't about to let history repeat itself.
If you can lose a game in the first minutes of play, then it happened to the Rams. The Park players had a strong opening drive only to get stopped on the Calgary's one-yard line. The very next play cowboy Cheng Wei ran the ball 119 yards for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead. The Rams finally evened the game up late in the second quarter as Zach Amyot went 17 yards on the sweep and the convert attempt hit the uprights to knot the game 6-6. But it wouldn't stay that way long as the cowboys struck twice in the final two minutes of the first half as Wei ran in another and Marco Iannuzzi caught a TD pass to give the Cowtowners a 19-6 lead at the half. Most thought the previously undefeated Rams would mount he come-back in the second but it didn't materialize as Choo Choo Cheng added two more touchdowns to give the cowboys the surprise 32-6 victory and the provincial championship trophy. It was the third straight four-touch-down game for Wei who was in a class by himself in the playoffs.
“The whole team worked hard and did a great job blocking for me,” he said, “This is just great. No Calgary team has ever done this so we feel really proud right now.”
While they were screaming across the hall the Rams players choked down tears as they left the locker room and were scooped up in parents and coaches embraces.
“They were just too good for us,” said Ram Stephen Chase. “They were too big and too strong. We were probably a bit too cocky coming off our win in the Northern Final as well. I had some tears there for a while, it was tough.”
“They were the better team and they deserved it,” said Ram Dan Heaton. “I expected the best out of them and they brought it. It's tough but, hey, we made it all the way to the provincials”
The kids were likely over the loss by the time the bus got back to the Park. But the guys who came up with the game plan, this one may sit with them a little longer.
“We knew that they were a very good club and we prepared the best we could, “ said assistant coach Greg Johnson. Man is (Wei) an athlete. It's a very hard loss to take. But 13-1 is a pretty good year when you look at the big picture. It's disappointing, but we'll reload for next year.”
“You can take a look at film, but film doesn't always tell you about speed and speed kills,” said head coach Jim Skitsko. “We get all the way down to the one at the start there and they come back with 119 yard run. Ouch. But we were still in it. At half time we still thought we could do it but they just had some great players. It wasn't just that one kid that beat us. Their defense played better than our offence and their offence played better than our defense. Today it just wasn't meant to be. Here's the way I look at it though. It wasn't the perfect end for the storybook, but the story was still sure a lot of fun. I'm just proud to have coached these great kids.”
It was the third provincial championship appearance in the last here years by the Rams who won it all in 1997 and 1999.
Rams Win 4th City Championship in Five Years
[Please note: the Sherwood Park Rams were defeated in the city title last year by the cross town rivals, the NORTHSTARS, not the Chargers as this article indicates]
Last year the bantam Sherwood Park Rams were knocked out of the Capital District Minor Football Association playoffs by the Edmonton Chargers.
This year the roles were reversed, as the Rams defeated the Chargers twice – once in regular season and again last Saturday at Foote Field.
After a one year absences from the provincials, the Rams are once again competing for the provincial crown – previously won by the Rams in 1997 and in 1999 – following a 37-7 victory over the Chargers.
After getting off to a rocky start with a fumble, the Rams opened scoring as Steven Chase ran seven yards for the game's first touchdown. Rams' kicker, Reagan Miller had to twice kick the convert following an illegal procedure call, but was able to nail the second attempt through the uprights.
Miller had a very strong game, not only kicking converts, but also picking off Charger quarterback Dan Bowen and scampering 22 yards for the Rams' second major as the first quarter wound down.
For most of the second quarter the teams battled from end to end, with the Chargers breaking the goose egg on a punt return. Charger Chris Barlow pulled a reversal and ran 83 yards for the Chargers' first touchdown. Jess Boehres successfully kicked the convert to close the gap to 21-7.
Ryan Meraw responded one minute later, running 40 yards for his second touchdown of the day. For the convert kick, Brendan Scott replaced Miller, but was as successful, as the Rams regained their 21- point cushion.
In the third quarter, both teams played rather conservative, with only the Chargers giving up a safety point, rather than risk another Rams' touchdown as a punt entered the end zone.
The Rams' defense applied constant pressure, sacking the Charger quarterback, Bowen. After a turnover on downs, Steven Chase raced seven yards for the Rams fifth touchdown while Scott kicked another convert, closing out the scoring at 37-7.
“I am feeling satisfied, I think that these kids are right on track, “ said Ram head coach Jim Skitsko. “I feel good, positive, but our job isn't over. We have two more steps.
“We play Grande Prairie on Saturday and then if we win that we will be in the show for the dough (bantam provincials). The provincials are an honor and we're back and hopefully, to take it back to Sherwood Park.”
Skitsko said the Rams controlled their emotion against the Chargers and that is what led to the victory. “The kids were really excited, but they were controlled and disciplined,” said Skitsko. “We made a couple of mistakes, but not in critical situations. We must have had an 80 percent conversion on our second down attempts.”
Skitsko credited the offensive and defensive line for the win and singled out a few unsung heroes.
“Our tackles, Mike Bryski and Matt White, they did awesome. Our guards, Mitch McLeod and Amber Kay – awesome. Our center, a first year boy by the name of Michael Richards, he did awesome.”
The post-victory celebration seemed rather toned down, as the team looked forward to the provincials.
“We have our eyes set on a bigger one, this is jut another step along the way,” said trainer/equipment manager, Doug Maloney. “This is just another step along the way, we don't want to stop here. We've got two more games.”
His son, Brad, was also looking forward to Grande Prairie. “That should be pretty entertaining,” said the younger Maloney. “We came out pretty hard today, our defense shut them down. We had some trouble on the kick off return, but picked it up from there and held them. We played an awesome game.”
Gordie Hinse, an offensive guard with the Chargers, was on the team that last year knocked out the Rams. Unlike last year, this year the dressing room was very quiet following the game.
“They are the only team that has been able to beat us, and they have been the only team that has been able to beat us the last few years,” said Hinse.
“It's tough to handle because we knew we could do it. We knew we gave it all we got, it just didn't turn out. We just got beat by a better team. It is pretty tough to handle when you know that.”
The Rams will bus up to Grande Prairie today, stay overnight and play the host Grande Prairie Raiders at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Legion Field. It will be the first time the Raiders appear in provincial action. A win by the Rams would mean their third trip to the provincial final. They won the championship in 1997 and 1999.
Park Rams Butt Heads Against Wolverines
Despite a reputation of battling creatures far larger than themselves, in nature wolverines sometimes come face to face with an opponent that doesn't back down, doesn't give an inch, and ultimately beats the tiny wolverine.
Last Sunday at the Strathcona Athletic Park, the Sherwood Park Rams extended their perfect record to 9-0 with a 82-0 humbling of the first year Sherwood Park Wolverines.
“I feel badly for some of the Wolverine kids, they have some real good players,” said Rams' head coach Jim Skitsko. “(Wolverines) like Ryan Rabideau, Todd Ruptash, these kids have a lot of pride, must have been tough for them.”
“The kids on the Wolverines were battling every play,” added Skitsko. “I certainly didn't see any of them giving up.”
Despite the overwhelming margin of victory, Skitsko believed his kids did what they had to, especially since they are preparing for the upcoming playoffs.
“You have to go 100 percent every game and we did everything we wanted. All our kids played and all our kids played though to the entire game. The team accomplished its major goal, to get Zack Amyot his 1000 yards. If you ask any kids on the offensive or defensive unit they were really pulling for him.”
Amyot had an outstanding day, turning into a one-man wreaking crew. Amyot scored six touchdowns, running the ball 12 times for 232 yards, easily breaking the 1000yard barrier.
According to Perry Meriot, Rams' assistant coach, the Rams came in with three specific objectives.
“Our game objectives were all met,” said Meriot. “First, was to win; second, not to allow any points; and third, to get Zack over 1000 yards.”
Steve Chase, Ryan Meraw and Ross Junck each added offensive touchdowns, but for the most par, it was Amyot running the ball.
“Two of our 1000 yard rushers, (Chase and Meraw) were only give n the ball twice all game, noted Jay Meraw, Rams' offensive coordinator.
The Rams' defense also pitched in. Brad Maloney recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, while Andrew Rogers caught an interception and ran 38 yards for a major. Also catching an interception for a touchdown was Regan Miller, who sprinted 48 yards into the end zone.
“It isn't for me to question (the Wolverines) philosophy, but they were giving us a short field for us to work with all day,” said Skitsko. “Often we were inheriting the ball within the 40 yard line”
Skitsko noted the Rams offensive is clicking well right before the playoffs and was surprised all the Wolverines walked off the field after a really solid defensive performance with some huge hits.
“Derrick Debonang just crushed their quarter back on one play,” recalled Skitsko. “I was holding my breath waiting for the kid to get up. He did
“There were some huge hits that we laid on their kids, but they got up.”
The focus now for the Rams is the upcoming playoff against the Millwoods Grizzlies.
“We are looking forward to a strong game,” said Skitsko. “The Grizzlies have a nice team, a nice big roster. They have a good cross-section of size and strength, se we are looking forward to a good battle.
“We are going to practice as long as the weather stays the same, we anticipate a good, high scoring game, At least on our part.
RAMS DOMINANT IN BANTAM DIVISION
As the football playoffs tread closer, the Sherwood Park Rams continued their dominance of the Capital District Minor Football Association's bantam division.
With but two regular season league games remaining, the Rams remain alone atop the Jackie Parker Division with a perfect 7-0 record.
Two weeks ago the Rams plucked the Edmonton Seahawks 54-0 and this past week posted similar number in a 62-0 grounding of the Stony Plain Bombers.
Not only are the Rams winning convincingly, they are winning with a regular rotation of first and second-string players. First year rookies are seeing almost as much action as the veteran players.
“As we come closer to playoffs, it becomes more critical to increase the depth at each position,” said defensive coordinator Mark Feledichuk. “As a coach it is very satisfying to s see the confidence level of these young athletes increase as we move through the season.”
Not only are the offensive and defensive lines clicking along at a phenomenal pace, but special teams are also stepping up Regan “Gizmo” Miller nailed a 47 yard punt return against the Sea Hawks (and a 30 yard field goal) and a 50 yard touchdown return the following week against the Bombers. The Rams ran 45 offensive plays (34 runs, 11 passes) for 442 yards against the Seahawks and put up similarly impressive numbers against the Bombers. Ryan Meraw, Steve chase and Zack Amyot posted enviable rushing yardage, with Meraw and Chase scoring three touchdowns apiece and Miller one (on a punt return). Scoring their first touchdowns of the year were Dustin MacDonald and Justin Sears.
“Our defense was just giving us awesome field position all game long,” said Rams' head coach Jim Skitsko. “Some of our first year kids played more than half the game, and all our kids got a lot of playing time. It was a good experience. We dominated every aspect of the game.”
Superior condition might explain the Rams continued success in the league this year.
“I believe it is conditioning,” said defensive backs coach Greg Johnson. “We practice four nights a week and conditioning is a bi g part of each practice. The players don't like it much, but know how important it is. This team, physically, is in great shape.”
The Rams (7-0) next suit up against the Fort McMurray Ravens (3-4) on Thanksgiving Monday. Skitsko expects the rookies will see increased action Monday.
“(The Ravens) are a team that aren't in the upper division of our league,” said Skitsko. “So we will give our first –year kids a lot of playing time.”
The Rams lead the bantam league offensively – scoring 279 points over seven games – and defensively, allowing only 14 points. In comparison, the Ravens have scored 98 points over seven games, while their opponents have scored a combined 215 points.
“We are trying to get everybody healthy for the final game of the year against the (Sherwood Park) Wolverines and then the playoffs,” said Skitsko. “We still have a few injuries we are dealing with.”
Zack Amyot (hamstring) Matt Schultenkamper (feeling the effects of a concussions against Leduc) should be ready in time for the playoffs.
Regardless of the injury situation, the Rams already looked primed for the pending playoffs, not to mention next season.
“One of the reasons we have done so well as an organization is because we have that depth,” said Skitsko. “All our first year players are almost right there when it comes to starting. All the playing time our kids are getting this year is going to make them that much better next year.”
Skitsko tentatively predicts the Charges and the Northsatrs will come out of the Johhny Bright Division and perhaps the Rams and St. Albert 49ers in the Jackie Parker Division.
“It's hard to say, really hard to say,' said Skitsko. ‘There are two more games to go in the season and the Jackie Parker division is a much more balanced division.
“It is going to be interesting. I can hardly wait for the playoffs.
RAMS ROLL OVER STUNNED STARS
It had all the ingredients for a classic.
Throw in the two best Bantam football teams in Northern Alberta with identical 4-0 records. Stir in an intense rivalry over the past four seasons. Add a dash of ceremony and cook under the lights. And bam! You've got yourself a game with meaning.
The Vegas line probably would have favored the Sherwood Park Northstars on Friday evening at the Strathcona Athletic Park as they hooked up against heir cross town cousins, the Sherwood Park Rams. While both teams were undefeated he Norhtstars had yet to allow a single point against in four outings. Mission number one for the Rams would be to end that streak and end it early.
Mission accomplished.
The Rams would strike first, just five minutes in as Ryan Meraw scampered 46 yards for the major. The convert was blocked, 6-0 Rams after the first quarter. They hit the vaunted Norhtstars defense again before the half was completed as Zack Amyot plunged in from the two, seconds after an 80-yard run by teammate Stephen Chase put them in glorious scoring position. It stood 12-0 Rams at halftime.
The Stars found some new life in the second with back up QB Stephen Tripodi at the helm as he marched them down the field and scored on a QB keeper to make it 12-7. However Tripodi was injured on the play and would not return to the game.
Momentum swung back in favor of the Rams who iced the game late in the fourth when Amyot bounced off his own blocker and somehow kept his footing to go 36 yards for a touchdown and Chase added another in the final minute to give the Rams a surprise 25-7 victory.
“I didn't expect that at all,” said Tripodi, “It was a tough game and I really didn't thing we were going to lose like that. I don't think we were ready. I think we came into this game too cocky.”
“The Rams are a good team and we knew we were going to have a real football game on our hands, ‘ said Stars coach Pat Barry. “I don't think our guys were totally ready. It was tough coming off the last three games we've had where we've won by such lopsided scores. They were probably thinking it might be similar. I think they learned a pretty good lesson. I think we'll end up meeting them again.”
Barry felt the Northstars sorely missed the presence of running back Jonathon Sylvester who went down with a knee injury in the second play of the game.
But in the final analysis, the Rams just came out more fired up and were clearly the better team on the day.
“I knew we could do this,” said Meraw. “I knew if we played our game and tried really hard. We wanted it so much more, I think. It was an intense game but we kept with it. The atmosphere in the dressing room is just insane. This is revenge for last year.”
“We were confident,” said Amyot. “We knew it would be a close game and that it would come down to the fourth quarter. We are a conditioned team and we work really hard in practice and I think that's t what made the difference. We are so happy. But we know these guys are going to come back at us in the play offs. We can't get too high.”
There was an added wrinkle in the final minutes of the game as both teams called their players of the field due to darkness.
A ceremony was planned in between the Bantam game a and a high school tilt between ABJ and Bev Facey at which point Mayor Vern Harwell was going to flip the switch on the newly installed light system at SAP.
But although the organizers did so with a ton of reluctance, the light had to come on early in order to complete the first featured game.