| KANE MAKES STATEMENT WITH WIN OVER RIDGWAY |
| SEPT. 13 WEEK THREE - Kane 19, Ridgway 8 |
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Re-published with permission; Box Score courtesy of the DuBois Courier Express |
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By Larry Smith – Kane Republican
RIDGWAY – The Kane Wolves traveled to Ridgway on Friday night looking to gain respect, and they did just that with a 19-8 win over the Elkers. Kane used another outstanding defensive effort (Kane has allowed only 25 points in three games) on its way to the win. Ridgway's size couldn't stop Kane's speed and heart, as the Wolves move to 3-0 on the year. Tyler Smith's success against Ridgway continued, as he passed and ran for a touchdown in another great effort against the Elkers. Smith, Jamerson and Jefferds found success on the ground as the Wolves rushed for 144 yards. Kane took the opening kickoff, and Jamerson returned it to the 42. After an 8-yard run by Jamerson and a big defensive stop for Ridgway, Kane decided to go to the air. Smith hit Jamerson, Hugh Rich and Mike Sivak to give the Wolves a first down at Ridgway's 22. On second down Smith hit Justin Jefferds for a 22-yard TD, and Jared Cecchetti's PAT kick gave Kane a 7-0 lead at 7:19 of the first quarter. The first quarter ended 7-0 in favor of Kane. The big hits kept coming from both teams, as Ridgway's Dan Bjorquist and Kane's Matt Burton dealt out NFL size hits. Mike Jamerson ran hard giving out as much punishment as he was taking from the Elkers. The Elkers' Ryan Mitchell blocked a punt early in the second quarter, as Ridgway began to win the field position battle. Kane's D held after the blocked punt on big defensive stops by Tyler Smith, Tim Smith, Jamerson and Jared Cecchetti. The teams would exchange possessions with Kane still being stopped deep in their own end. Dave Bundy' big punt return to the Kane 15 set up Ridgway with 1:04 left in the half. Andy Kelly found Josh Mercer wide open in the end zone for a 13-yard TD, and Mitchell's two-point conversion run gave Ridgway an 8-7 lead at the half. Facing their first deficit of the year, the Kane Wolves responded in the second half. Ridgway started to drive on the opening possession of the second half, but a fumble after a completion was recovered by Matt Burton to give the Wolves a first down at their own 47. The Wolves picked up a first down on runs by Jamerson. On third-and-9 from Ridgway’s 39, Tyler Smith found an opening and sprinted 39 yards for another Kane score. The missed two-point conversion gave Kane a 13-8 lead. The third quarter ended 13-8, as the teams alternated possessions without scoring. A Ridgway drive in the beginning of the fourth ended again after a completion was fumbled after a hard hit. The fumble was picked up by Steve Chittester to give Kane a first down deep in their end. Ridgway's D held, and Kane was forced to punt. A nice punt by Andy Cecchetti set Ridgway up at their own 39 with 4:15 left. The Elkers knew they had to go to the air. A big hit by Matt Burton broke up a third down pass, and Jordan Martin picked of Kelly on fourth down to give Kane the ball. Kane went to the ground to run out the clock. Justin Jefferds took a second-down pitch, found the corner and went 23 yards for the score. The missed two-point conversion left the score 19-8 and with only 30 seconds left the game ended 19-8. "I told the kids if you want to establish a winning tradition, you have to beat a team with a winning tradition," said Kane Coach Rick Bouch. "We did that tonight." KANE 19, RIDGWAY 8 |