Justin Smith Leads Rams to First Victory
(Rosemead) – You knew they were on the verge. You knew they weren’t that far away. The Temple City Rams had lost two games by a total of six points (one of which it took a miracle to beat them) and then the frustrating tie last week. Friday night at Anthony White’s former stomping grounds it happened. Temple City executed well offensively, played stout defense and came away with a 27-13 win over Rosemead to get the proverbial chimpanzee off their back.
“Finally!” White said. “Our team has been playing good for the past three weeks. We’re a physical team, we’re running the ball and we can pass the ball. We’re doing everything we can to be successful here at Temple City and we’re going to continue to do that.”
The Rams first win of the 2009 campaign, and White’s first as a head coach, came in many different forms. It came in the form of a defense that held the Panthers to just 75 yards through the air. It came in the form of first year quarterback Justin Smith who completed six of 13 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also ran for a touchdown.
And it came in the form of receiver David Spratt, who hauled in a 30 yard touchdown pass from Smith in the third quarter to put TC up 20-7. Spratt caught three passes for 69 yards and a score in his first start to give the Rams a huge lift.
Max Ruckle Exhorts Team in Fourth Quarter
“Spratt’s a great player. We’re trying to work him in,” White said.
Temple City also did it without a big game from Max Ruckle – who was held to just 32 yards. But with Smith, Spratt and Andrew Torres, who caught a 20 yard TD strike in the fourth, the Rams got it done.
The Rams scored on their first possession when Smith capped a 50 yard drive with a three yard run. Rosemead was forced to punt on its first two series but got a break when Oscar Higareda fell on a Temple City fumble at the Ram 35.
Three plays later, Matt Macias hit Greg Parham on a corner route in the end zone for a 32 yard TD pass to put Rosemead up 7-6.
The Panthers were on the move again on their next series. After Temple City went three and out, Rosemead drove from its own 35 down to the Temple City five. On the verge of going up 14-6, Macias rolled out and fired a pass into the end zone that was tipped and then picked off by Brandon Cox.
TC in turn went 80 yards in nine plays to grab the lead. A 47 yard pass play from Smith to Calvin Copping highlighted the drive. After a Rosemead time out, Smith hit a wide open Ruckle, who came out of the backfield, on a 17 yard scoring pass.
“I just told you guys to look for that!” screamed Rosemead defensive coordinator Marc Paramo.
The 13-7 halftime lead was increased to 20-7 in the third on Spratt’s touchdown catch. A six play 70 yard drive was finished by Smith’s 30 yard strike to Torres for a 27-7 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
Rosemead was still hampered by the injury to Joey Diaz who was limited to playing only on the defensive side of the ball. Matt Fregoso shouldered the load with 26 carries for 106 yards. The Panthers scored late on a six yard Macias pass to Conrado Simpson.
The win meant a little something extra for White played at Rosemead and has many roots there.
“There’s a ton of teachers out here and students that I know. My mom is on their staff, my sister is on mine. It’s great!” White said.
Temple City is now 1-2-1 and will host La Salle next week. Rosemead falls to 1-3 and travels to Covina District Field Friday night to take on South Hills.
R 0 7 0 6 13
TC 6 7 7 7 27
Summary:
1st Qtr:
TC 6:19 Smith 3 yd run (Kick Blocked)
2nd Qtr:
R 11:51 Parham 32 yd pas from Macias (Chris Cancino Kick)
TC 3:26 Ruckle 17 yd pass from Smith (Andrew Tinsley Kick)
3rd Qtr:
TC 1:59 Spratt 30 yd pass from Smith (Tinsley Kick)
4th Qtr:
TC 9:57 Torres 20 yd pass from Smith (Tinsley Kick)
R 2:48 Simpson 6 yd pass from Macias (2 pt run failed)
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