BY JIM PENNA
For The Tribune-Democrat
October 11, 2008 12:26 am
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In a game that tested the limits of the bend-but-don’t-break defensive philosophy, Westmont pulled off a 13-7 upset of host Richland in a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference matchup.
The Hilltoppers (2-5) used an inspired performance from T.J. Keklak who rushed for 296 yards on 39 carries. Keklak also scored both Hilltoppers touchdowns on runs of 69 and 74 yards.
The numbers came as no surprise to Westmont coach Matt Glennon who praised the performance of his workhorse but stressed there was more than a little help along the way.
“He gets the ball. We want to control the ball and the clock, and he is going to get a lot of work. He knows it coming in and the other team knows it, too,” Glennon said. “But our offensive line knew they had to make it work up front (Friday night), and they stepped up. It was just a remarkable game for them and the way they played.”
Keklak’s first score came shortly after the Rams had been stopped at the Westmont 1-yard line. A fumble on first-and-goal was just the beginning of Richland’s red-zone woes.
The Rams (3-4) also were stopped at the Westmont 8-yard line on a fourth-down play and the Westmont 9, again on fourth down in the first half.
The Rams’ first scoring threat of the second half also ended inside the Hilltoppers’ 10-yard line on a fourth and goal.
“That is exactly it, more trouble in the red zone and it killed us,” Richland coach Brandon Bailey said. “You get down there and you make mistakes or penalties or dropped balls and it takes its toll. But they (Westmont) were out there trying to win a game, too, and they made plays when they had to.”
Richland tied it at 7 in the second quarter when quarterback Gino Ramires connected on a 30-yard scoring strike to wideout Tim Ripple.
Ramires, who is leading the state in passing yardage, had reeled off 96 yards with a 16-for-25 performance in the first half but was injured on the Rams’ final drive of the half and never touched the ball again.
“We don’t know the full nature of the injury just yet but he just could not go in the second half,” Bailey said. “It was to his throwing shoulder. It is not an excuse mind you, but when you lead the state in passing and then lose your quarterback, it is really tough to do the things you usually do.”
Backup quarterback Ryan Sylvia needed the third quarter to settle into the position.
“He stepped in and did a nice job,” said Bailey. “With the number of snaps he gets in practice during the week though, it took some time for the offense to get going again.”
The Rams defense also played inspired despite the big run numbers for Keklak.
The Hilltoppers managed only 11 more rushing yards than their feature back’s total and they completed just three passes.
But the margin of error was too thin, with one more break coming with just 5:24 remaining in the game.
Keklak sprinted for his second long score of the day.
“He is that kind of kid,” Glennon said. “He just keeps going, and sooner or later he will bust it off. This was a good win and an effort by the entire team that earned it.”
The Rams managed a final drive, but the final pass of the night was intercepted, fittingly inside the Westmont 10-yard line.
“Yeah that is how the night went,” Bailey said. “But these kids fought back and in the end they had a shot.”
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