The matchup between the Englewood Rams and the Toros started off strong. Tocoi Creek marched down the field and scored a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Ryan Killmer that was caught in the back of the endzone by Zander Erasmus. The Rams responded with a touchdown of their own, letting running back Yerawn Smith take it in for the score. The first quarter would end all tied up 7-7.
The second quarter would start with another receiving touchdown, this time by Tocoi Creek Devin Woods. After that, Tocoi Creek’s defense would flip on a switch, as the Rams offense had no answers the rest of the half. Tocoi Creek would then let running back Chase McNeil punch it for their 3rd touchdown of the first half. Despite their offense not doing much, Englewood’s defense is what kept them in this game.
Interceptions by Tykie Bowens, Adison Huffman, and Kamren Greene helped stop the Toros from pouring on more points. At the beginning of the second half, the Rams would come out firing, with a long throw from Damain Ty Keister to wide receiver Antwan Campbell who ran it in for a touchdown.
The Toros would respond with a long touchdown of their own, a screen pass to the electrifying wide receiver Julio Santiago, who took it 45-yards for a touchdown. After that, the Toros would begin putting in their backups, allowing their second string to get some reps. Englewood would take advantage of this by scoring two more touchdowns. This however, would not be enough to win the game for the Rams, as the game ended in a tie, 27-27.
Tocoi Creek’s team lead by second year head coach Zach Harbison looks very impressive and has lots of talent, despite the school being built just 3 years ago. The Toros navigated a successful 5-5 season in Harbison’s first year at the school. His former school Englewood where Harbison was head coach, showed that they have lots of talent as well.
The Rams are now led by second year head coach Kevin Johnson Jr. He will look to get his team better over the summer to build off the momentum from the successful 6-4 season last year. Both teams are soaring in the right direction, upward.
