By ADAM BREWER
MVI Sports
Ringgold got to within one score of West Mifflin Friday night, but couldn’t get a go-ahead score in the fourth in a 20-8 loss in Big 8 Conference action at Joe Montana Stadium.
“I loved the effort tonight,” Rams coach Darwin Manges said. “That was the type of fight by kids that wanted to compete and leave everything out on the field. That’s the type of team I want to see. I am so very proud of those kids and for sticking with it this week after three tough games in a row.”
With both teams being out of the playoff hunt in the conference, the Big 8 showdown was about pride and a chance to end the season on a positive note.
The Titans (2-4, 2-4) scored on their opening drive and never relinquish the lead. Quarterback Shai Newby capped an impressive, nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run at the 5:39 mark of the first quarter.
The Rams (1-6, 0-6) countered with their best drive of the first half as John Polefko had a critical 16-yard run and later secured a 9-yard pickup later in the possession for a first down. But the home team was stopped on fourth-and-1 at the 24-yard line and turned the ball over on downs after churning out 56 yards on the drive.
“On offense, we have to stay on track and we can’t afford negative plays,” Manges said. “Mars run the same offense as us and they are one of the top scoring offenses in the WPIAL. We just have to finish drives off and stay away from penalties and fumbles.”
To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.