Published: November 07, 2009 12:22 am      

Ramires tosses four touchdown passes as Richland ensures right to host in postseason

JOHNSTOWN — Friday was a night of milestones for Richland, as the Rams closed out one of the best regular seasons in school history with a 44-22 win over visiting Penn Cambria.

The Rams (8-2) established an all-time single-season scoring record, won eight games for the first time since 1971, and, most importantly, earned the right to host a District 6-AA playoff game for the first time next week against Huntingdon.

“My hat’s off to our senior class,” Richland coach Brandon Bailey said. “This group has really committed to becoming a great team.”

Penn Cambria (6-4) outgained the Rams in total yardage and held an early six-point lead, but Richland capitalized on four Panthers turnovers.

“Our defense rose to the occasion,” Bailey said. “We didn’t get as many offensive snaps as we’d like, but we took advantage of the short field a few times, and the kids made plays when we needed them.”

Rams quarterback Gino Ramires didn’t put up huge yardage numbers, but still threw four touchdown passes as he finished 7-of-14 for 123 yards. Two of those scoring passes went to Adam Ludwig.

“This has been the story of our season,” said Penn Cambria coach Ernie Fetzer, whose club will face a playoff opponent yet to be determined. “When we turn the ball over, things go south, and we can’t seem to overcome mistakes.”

The Panthers got a 132-yard, three-touchdown effort from Zak Newton, as Penn Cambria rushed for 287 yards compared to 155 for the Rams.

A Penn Cambria miscue led to the only points of the first quarter after a shotgun snap sailed over Newton’s head and he was downed in the end zone for a Richland safety. The Panthers then went ahead after a 16-play, 80-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes. Newton’s

3-yard touchdown capped off the march, and Jordan Fuller ran for the two-point conversion to put Penn Cambria on top 8-2 with 9:11 left in the half.

The Panther lead was short-lived, as Richland sophomore Luke Rozich went the distance on the ensuing kickoff return for an 85-yard touchdown. John George added the first of his four extra points to give the Rams a one-point edge.

On the following series, the Panthers chose to go for it on fourth and 2 from their 44, but a fumbled snap was recovered by the Rams. Three plays later, Ramires hit Ludwig in stride for a 49-yard touchdown that made it 16-8 at the 5:53 mark.

The Rams added one more score before the break after moving 80 yards in nine plays.

Ramires scrambled for three first downs, and he fired a

30-yard scoring pass to Ryan Sylvia with 57 seconds left to put Richland up by 14.

Penn Cambria fumbled again on the first play of the third quarter, and the Rams recovered at the Panther 21. Four plays later, George found the end zone from 4 yards out to extend Richland’s lead to 29-8.

The Panthers refused to fold, as a 37-yard pass from Newton to Mark Galebach on the ensuing series set up a 3-yard Newton touchdown that cut the deficit to 15. However, two more Penn Cambria turnovers in the fourth quarter allowed Richland to pull away for good.

Penn Cambria fumbled a punt to open the fourth quarter, leading to a 1-yard touchdown strike from Ramires to Ludwig.

Ramires then threw to Jordan Rozich for the two-point conversion.

Ludwig picked off a Newton pass on the following Panthers series, and after a subsequent

10-play Richland drive, Ramires threw his fourth touchdown pass.

The 14-yard reception by Jamie Lepsch put the Rams ahead

44-14 before Newton’s third touchdown and following two-point conversion in the last minute set the final.