(THE PICKET) – The Shepherd Rams football team, ranked number 20, improved to a 3-0 record with a commanding 41 to 10 victory over the University of Virginia-Wise Cavaliers on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Rams started out slow but finished the game strong scoring 41 unanswered points.
The first quarter was dominated by the Cavaliers who jumped out to a quick 7-0 less than three minutes into the game when Daniel Lewis hit Terrence Younger for a 56 yard touchdown. The Cavaliers added a field goal to lead 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Rams’ scoring frenzy began in the second quarter when a blocked punt was fallen on in the end zone for a safety, swinging the momentum to Shepherd. Jeff Ziemba found Angelo Jean-Louis for a 12-yard touchdown. After a successful two point conversion, the Rams and Cavaliers went into halftime tied at 10.
Shepherd’s first drive of the second half started the same way the first half ended—Ziemba found Jean-Louis for an 18-yard touchdown to give the Rams a 17-10 lead. A field goal by Ryan Earles then gave the Rams a 20-10 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter began with Ziemba finding Billy Brown for a 27-yard touchdown extending the Rams’ lead to 27-10. Just two minutes later, backup quarterback Connor Jessop threw a long 67-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Allen to put the Rams up 34-10. Reggie Carroll added a late 4-yard rushing touchdown for Shepherd’s final score.
Ziemba again led the Rams under center, recording another 250+ yard performance finishing the day 21-41 with 287 yards and three touchdowns, giving him nine for the year.
Ziemba’s target for the third straight week was Billy Brown, who finished the game with eight receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Malik Harleston led the Rams’ rushing attack, finishing the day with 50 yards on nine carries.
The Rams’ defense had three shutout quarters and was led by Keon Robinson, who had nine tackles, and Shaniel Jenkins, who finished the game with four tackles.
Next Saturday, Sept. 26, will be Shepherd’s homecoming game. The Rams will play Notre Dame College at 12 p.m.