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1998
RAMS WIN SECOND CONSECUTIVE CITY TITLE
It was the Grey Cup of minor football and both of the home teams put on one heck of a performance.
The Sherwood Park Rams and the Sherwood Park North Stars went toe to toe in the Capital District Bantam championship game on Saturday in Edmonton.
"Both teams played a really great game" said Coach Jim Skitsko. "Full marks to the NorthStars. They fought really hard. It was an honor to play against a team that plays that hard. Coach Ciezki did a real fine job with his team."
And while the NorthStars played a really great game, it was still tough to take. "It was a very disappointing loss" said NorthStars Head Coach Ted Ciezki. "It's a huge heartbreaker."
The Rams dominated the first half and despite several penalties, they held a 13 - 0 lead at half time.
"It was a total team effort win on Saturday" said Skitsko, adding the Rams defensive line played very well throughout the entire game. Rams linebackers Mike Jespersen, Adam Skitsko, Danny Bass Jr. and Ryan McNair all performed well in the match while Brad Herauf sat out with an injury.
And fullback Jason Gon also picked up the pace after Steven Golko suffered a wrist injury and was a force to be reckoned with on the field.
But just when fans may have thought the NorthStars were done, the Stars proved they were just getting started. The second half saw a renered Stars team take to the field as quarterback Matt Ciezki connected on several big passes to give the Stars new life .
"You live or die with the pass" Skitsko said. That one pass gave them new life."
Indeed it did. Ryan Mulligan caught a 60 yard pass from Ciezki to put the Stars on the scoreboard and late in the fourth quarter, the Stars did it again as Ciezki connected with Logan Karch who ran it down to the 5 yard line. Mulligan then ran it ove on a counter play.
But with the clock running out, the Rams were able to successfully take control with Rob Olexson salting away the victory with a field goal. The Rams will now take on Taber in the Provincial semi-final on Saturday with the team from Calgary getting the bye into the finals.
After a close call on Saturday, the Rams will prepare to defend their provincial title. "They know what it takes to play better and win" Skitsko said.