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2004
RAMS CRUISE TO SECOND STRAIGHT
They ran Rampant once again. For the second consecutive season the Sherwood Park Rams Bantam football team has emerged as the clear class of the province with another undefeated campaign.
Going into Saturday's Tier I provincial championships the Rams hadn't lost a game in two years and it was clear that trend was not about to be reversed in the championship match against the Calgary Bulldogs at Clarke Park.
The Rams came out charged up and quickly had the Bulldogs on a leash as they went up 21-0 after the first quarter on a pair of TS rushes by Jordan Adamson and a single major by Ryan Proud on a 31 yard interception return for a TD. They would extend that lead on a 12 yard touchdown by Doug Rypstra before Calgary got on the board shortly before the half.
The Rams and Bulldogs traded TD's in the third quarter as Ram Greg Frost went in from the one before Calgary scored an unconverted major of its own. Proud blocked the convert attempt making it 35-13 entering the final frame.
The Bulldogs were unable to bite any further i8nto the lead as the Rams were the only ones able to alter the scoreboard when Garrett Elsey went into the end zone on a 45 yard passing play to give the Rams a fairly convincing 42-13 victory and the coveted title of Alberta champs.
"They couldn't stop our fly offence" said Rams head coach Jim Skitsko."They made some adjustments abut our backs just pounded them and pounded them. Our defense played as well as they had to today but I'm really proud of the offence today. they really put it together. they believed and when you believe you can achieve."
"the team really came to play today," said defensive coordinator Greg Johnson. "I knew they were focused when I went to the dressing room a few minutes before the game. I fully expected we would have to settle them down. to my surprise they were sitting in their units quietly discussing the game plan. Now that's focus!"
The Rams offensive stats told the story pretty clearly as they were able to amass 24 first downs and had 465 yards in total offence. Chris Tran was responsible for almost half of that total as he rushed for 212 yards on 18 carries.
After the coach was doused with water and the team gathered in front of a gazillion picture takers for the traditional group photo, it was obvious that the entire squad was over the moon about repeating as champs.
"This is the greatest experience ever," said Adamson."Especially being able to repeat. It's even sweeter to win it the second time out.Two perfect seasons- it's more than you can ask for."
"It's hard to explain how I feel right now," said Ram Luke Leonard."There's a lot of joy, it really is a big deal to win something like this two years in a row. This is the best football program I've ever been in."
"This is the most excited I have ever felt," said second year receiver and quarterback Taylor Souster. "The guys all worked hard for this and it was all worth it."
"I don't know if people understand just how difficult it is to win back to back championships like this," he said. "Especially as this level because you turn over so many players every year. It's going to take a little while for what has happened here today to sink in for me."
"Back to back provincials wins is an amazing accomplishment," said defensive line coach Bill Roberts. "It's all due to a great organization from the ground up- the players, the parents, the training staff and the coaches. I already can't wait until next year."
"Our team played like the champions they are," said Johnson. "What an incredible season. I am so proud of each and every player. Every player played to the best of their abilities and that's all a coach can ask of them. the Rams' story of 2004 is now complete."
It is the fourth championship by the Rams, all coming on coach Skits's watch. Previous titles were captured in 1997, 199 and 2003.