One and Done--Rams Fall to Garland 38-16 in First Round

Great season Rams. Congrats on making the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years. Good luck to our 2009-2010
seniors and thanks for the great memories.
A special thanks to Allen Swope for capturing and sharing his photos with us this season.


Coach Scott Sellers
Nov. 16, 2009

Despite a tough October, the Rams started off November with a bang as they beat WT White 42-19 at Loos Stadium on Thursday night. Mr. Mult-Purpose Terry Gilbert scored three TD's for the Rams, with two interception returns of 45 and 49 yds for TD's. FB Jamaal McShane scored twice on the night on short TD runs and QB Aric Stock had a solid night by completing 7 of 9 passes for 173 yds. The biggest completion went to WR/TE Spencer Edmonds, who hauled in his 5th TD catch of the year on a 81 yard TD strike from Stock. The Rams built a 35-7 halftime lead and never looked back.

More importantly, the Rams advanced to the 5A Division 1 playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years. The current stretch is very impressive considering the Rams only made one playoff appearance pre-2003, dating back to the school's gridiron beginnings in 1972. The Rams (6-4 overall) also will benefit from a coin flip last year with the Garland Owls (8-1 overall) as the Rams will host the Owls on Friday, November 13 at Ram-Wildcat Stadium. Last season, the Owls won the home-home coin flip with an agreement if they had a rematch this season that the Rams would get the home game. The memories of the 2008 contest weighs heavily on the current Rams. A 3-3 fourth quarter tie was broken open by the Owls in the final seven minutes as they scored 24 unanswered points for a 27-3 win. This year's contest will once again be a tough matchup for Rams as they will face a very potent Owl offense attack and a defense that runs well and swarms the ball.
Owl QB Jared Barnett comes into the contest with 14 TD passes and leads a strong ground attack complemented by RB Jordan Spencer, the Owls leading rusher. The Owls receiving corp is strong and led by Ayron Morgan and Adrian Phillips, who have combined for 64 catches and 13 TD receptions. Perhaps more impressively, the Owl defense, led by Tevin Jackson, has shut down its opponents this year and have held teams to 14 points or less in 8 of their 9 games. The Owls went undefeated in district play and their only blemish was a 7-6 loss to Lake Highlands on Sept. 10.

Coach Ledford and his staff have known Garland was a good playoff possibility all season and he commented, "Garland has one of the top five defenses in the metroplex. They have stuffed each and every opponent this year. We need a week of focused, great attention to detail in practice, and tremendous effort in order to maximize our potential for success." The game is set for Friday, Nov. 13 @ 7:30pm.

Coach Scott Sellers
Nov. 9, 2009

October has not been a good month to be a Ram. After early district losses to Lake Highlands and Skyline, the Rams lost their third game of the month by dropping a 14-11 decision to the Richardson Eagles at Ram-Wildcat Stadium. In what proved to be a hard fought battle between two teams trying to secure a playoff berth, the Eagles capitalized on their opportunities and improved their playoff chances. Neither team mounted much offense in the first half but the Rams did manage a field goal as Zack Olen banged a 47 yd. FG to put the Rams up 3-0 at the break. The Eagles countered with an impressive drive to open the second half that ended with a DJ Jackson 40 yd. TD run to make it 7-3 Eagles in the third quarter.
The game took a controversial turn as Eagle defensive lineman A.K. Akindumilia interecepted a Ram screen pass and rumbled 65 yards for a score. The game was stopped as a sideline official collided with members of the Eagle football team during the play and referees and coaches met to determine if the score counted or the play was dead. After close to 5 minutes of conferencing, the score was given and the Eagles took a 14-3 lead.
The Rams responded with an impressive drive that ended with a 10 yd. TD reception by Spencer Edmond from QB Aric Stock. RB Jamaal McShane added the 2 pt. conversion run and the score was cut to 14-11 with 3 mintues remaining. The Rams forced a late Eagle stop deep inside Ram territory with over 1 minute remaining but the offense was unable to reach field goal range.
The loss dropped the Rams to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in district play. The last two remaining playoffs will be decided this final week of the regular season as the Rams need a Thursday night win over WT White to remain in the playoff hunt. Richardson battles Creekview and tiebreaking formulas might come into play, particularly if Creekview wins. The Rams beat Creekview 32-0 early in district play and that outcome could prove helpful in a tiebreaker formula. The bottom line is the Rams need to focus on the task at hand and prepare for a 4-5 WT White team that hopes to spoil the Rams playoff dreams. The Longhorns are coming off a 62-3 loss against the Skyline Raiders and will close out their season at Loos Stadium against the Rams. Game time set for 7pm on Thursday, November 5.

Coach Scott Sellers
Nov. 1, 2009

The Rams traveled to Kincaide Stadium with one thing on their minds---get a win and get back to playing playoff-quality football. Mission accomplished. The Sunset Bison proved to be no match for the Rams as the final score of 42-0 reflected such. QB Aric Stock was 5-5 through the air on the night for 108 yds., including the first score of night on a 45 yd. strike to WR/TE Nunu Hatim. FB Gerald Gafford produced three scores on the ground on TD runs of 38, 12, and 77 yds. Backup FB/DT Justin Yancey also got into the act with his first career carry going for a 32 yd. score. Lawrence Williams closed out the scoring with an 11 yd. TD run.
The Ram defense was solid again as they held Sunset to only 8 first downs and forced 6 punts. It was the second shuout of the season and fourth time this season the Ram offense has produced 40 or more points. The Bison fell to 0-7 on the year after the loss and the Rams improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in district play. The Rams return to action on Friday, October 30 as they host their rivals to the west--the Richardson Eagles. The Eagles enter the game with an identical record as the Rams and are fresh off a 45-0 thrashing of Molina. The Eagles, Rams, and Creekview currently stand in a three-way tie for third place in District 9-5A and only two of the three teams will advance to the playoffs. The Rams beat Creekview 32-0 on Oct. 2 and the Eagles will face the Mustangs next week. This is a pivotal two week stretch for all three teams. Alot will be decided for the Rams this Friday at Ram Wildcat Stadium against the Eagles. Game time is set for 7:30pm.

Coach Scott Sellers
Oct. 26, 2009

The Rams entered last Friday's contest with the unbeaten Skyline Raiders knowing that it would take a strong team effort and some luck to beat the Raiders. Unfortunately, both strong team effort and luck never arrived at Ram Wildcat Stadium for the home team. The Raiders ran their unblemished record to 7-0 on the season as they defeated the Rams 39-7. Four different Raiders scored in the first half, with the first score occurring less than 3 minutes into the game. The Raiders cruised to a 26-0 lead at the half behind the strong arm and quickness of QB Javia Hall and the receiving prowess of Joe Powell and Mike Davis. Hall finished the night by completing 13 of 16 for 234 yards through the air. The Rams appeared to be ready to get on the board right before half but suffered a blocked field goal and went to the locker room empty handied.
The Raiders picked up where they left off in the third quarter as Powell caught a 14 yd. TD pass from hall and Josh Wilkins scored his second TD of the night from 5 yards out to put the Raiders up 39-0. Rams WR Spencer Edmond took in a 11 yd scoring pass from QB Aric Stock to get the Rams on the board late in the game. The TD pass was set up off an 86 yard run by all-purpose back Terry Gilbert. Gilbert was a bright spot for the Rams as he played solid defensively and finished with 134 yards rushing on only 5 touches.
The Rams fall to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in district. They return to action on Friday, Oct. 23 as they travel to the "Jewel of the DISD" and play the Sunset Bison at Kincaide Stadium. The Bison enter the game 0-7 on the year and fresh off a 35-7 loss to WT White. Game time is set for 7:30pm.

Coach Scott Sellers
Oct. 17, 2009

The yearly battle of neighborhood rivals proved to be a tale of two halves. The Rams looked solid in the first half. They used a 1 yd. TD run by Aric Stock to build an early 7-0 lead. The Wildcat offense was stiffled by the Ram defense early as their first four possessions were three and out. The Wildcats took advantage of a short field late in the second quarter and manuevered their way into position for a 23 yd. FG by kicker Jason Dann. Grant Nakwaasah then returned the ensuing kickoff deep into Wildcat territory and the Rams looked poised to punch in another TD. But penalties killed the drive and Zack Olen booted a 29 yd. FG. to put the Rams up 10-3 at the half.
Both teams traded possessions in the third before the Wildcats broke through with a 20 yd. TD pass from QB Ricky Zorn to WR James Duke. The score was tied at 10 heading to the fourth quarter and the Wildcats seemed to have the momentum in their favor. Zorn patiently moved the Wildcat offense down the field in the fourth and connected with RB Desmond Roland on a 39 yd. TD pass to put the Wildcats up for good. Dann added a 37 yd. FG to complete the scoring. The Rams still had life with less than four minutes left but a drive stalled inside the 15 yd. line and a FG chance was blocked to seal the Rams fate. In the end, the Rams netted only 217 yds. of offense and were penalized 9 times for 90 yards. Missed tackles and blown defensive assignments also proved costly for the Rams.

The Rams fell to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in District 9-5A with the loss. The road to the playoffs gets tougher this week as a visit to Ram Wildcat Stadium by the state-ranked Skyline Raiders looms on the horizon. The Raiders enter the contest at 6-0 and possess a roster filled with numerous Division I recruits. The Raiders offense is led by QB Javia Hall, RB Tony Drake, and a WR duo of Joe Powell and Mike Davis that produces roughly 46 points per game. No team has held the Raiders to less than 35 points this year as they have recorded big wins over Plano East, Lake Highlands, Arlington Bowie, and Richardson. Not to be outdone, the Raiders defense is yielding only 13 points per game and led by outstanding linebacker play. Last year, the Rams battled until the end but cam up short 19-5 at Forester Field. A Ram win this week would keep hopes of a district championship alive and a loss would
force the Rams into needing to win their last three ball games to secure a playoff berth. Game time is set for 7:30pm on Fri. Oct. 16.

Ram Wildcat Stadium
Friday, Oct. 9th
7:30pm kickoff

BE THERE!!

Homecoming can be a distraction for some football teams that allow the fun and festivites to overshadow the actual game. This was not the case for the Berkner Rams. When the dust settled at Ram Wildcat Stadium, the Rams dominated the Creekview Mustangs and left with a convincing 32-0 victory. RB/LB Grant Nakwaasah got the party started with a 62 yd. TD run on the first drive of the game. Zack Olen booted a 42 yd. field goal to put the Rams up 10-0 in the first quarter and that would be the score at the half. The Ram offense posted three big scoring plays in the third quarter. QB/DB Aric Stock tossed a 24 yd. Td pass to WR/DB Brennan Dichiara and later found WR/TE Spencer Edmond for a 33 yd. TD strike, as Edmond made a diving catch just across the goalline. QB/DB Lawrence Williams got loose from 29 yds. out to record the final points for the Rams.
The Mustangs fell to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in District 9-5A as they were held to only 7 first downs and 20 yards rushing on 26 carries as the Rams defense was stellar. Preston Wimberly and Justin Yancey led the defensive front and Grant Nakwaasah and Jamaal McShane turned in solid performances from their linebacker spots. It was the first shoutout of the season for the Rams defense, as the unit has moved into a top 15 state ranking in points allowed. Overall, the defense has allowed only 2 touchdowns in the past three games.
The Rams improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in District 9-5A. The Rams remained ranked at #16 in the state according to 5A TexasFootball.com and #10 in the Dallas Morning News area poll. The schedule continues to get tougher as the Rams will be the "visitor" at their own stadium on Friday, Oct. 9th when they take on crosstown rival Lake Highlands. The Wildcats enter the game with a 3-2 overall mark, a 1-1 district record, and a #13 Dallas Morning News area ranking. The Wildcats have played a strong schedule thus far and have big wins over Garland and Mesquite and a tough home loss at the hands of the Skyline Raiders. QB Ricky Zorn leads a potent rushing/passing attack for the Wildcats that features RB Desmond Roland and several game-breaking receivers. The Rams coaching staff knows the importance of getting off to a quick start against LH and the winner of this game will have "bragging rights" for at least one year. Game time is set for 7:30pm.


Click here to check out the Dallas Morning News area football rankings, as of 10-4-2009

http://www.hsgametime.com/dfw/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/football/polls/stories/100509dnspohsrankings.2edf75a.html



Also, a national sports service, Sports Power, named the Rams as one of their three national teams of the week for their complete performance over Creekview. Congrats to Coach Ledford and the coaching staff for achieving this honor. Click below to go to their website.

http://www.sportspower.com/football/news/view/36108#



Coach Scott Sellers
Oct. 6, 2009

The Rams opened District 9-5A play by traveling to Kincaide Stadium and facing the winless Molina Jaguars. And as they prepared for and expected, the Rams methodically broke down the Jaguars and left with a 52-6 victory. The offense was strong early by scoring on 6 of its first 7 possessions. QB Aric Stock tossed first half scoring passes of 27 yds and 40 yds, to Grant Nakwaasah and Raegan Lucio respectively. Luke Russell added an 11 yd TD run, Brennan Dichiara ran a punt back 49 yards for a score, and kicker Zack Olen booted a 26 yd FG to round out the first half scoring and put the Rams up 31-0 at the half. David Drake scored from 12 yards out in the 3rd quarter to put the Rams up 38-6 heading into the 4th quarter. Nakwaasah scored his 2nd defensive touchdown of the year by returning an interception 55 yards for a score and shortly thereafter, Terry Gilbert galloped 78 yards for the the final points of the game.
Overall, the Rams (3-1 overall; 1-0 in district) had a nice offensive output by tallyiing 438 yards on 36 offensive plays and punted only once. The defense was stellar once again by holding Molina (0-4 overall; 0-1 in district) to less than 3 yards per play and allowing only one touchdown for the second game in a row (Desoto managed only 1 offensive score). The defensive front of Justin Yancey, Kentarius Caldwell, Preston Wimberly, and Devin Williams dominated the front and kept the Jaguar offensive in check by allowing only 10 yards in the first half.
The win pushed the Rams higher in the Dallas Morning News area poll and 5ATexasFootball.com State Poll as they climbed 2 spots to the #10 ranking of DFW 5A schools and earned a #16 state ranking . But the Rams now must turn the page and set their sights on a Homecoming date with the Creekview Mustangs. The Mustangs (2-2 overall; 1-0 in district) are coming off a 33-7 win over the WT White Longhorns and are led offensively by the triple threat attack of lefty QB Nick Moody and RB's Andre McCoy and Ryan Wilson. The Mustangs are averaging over 27 points per game and are still a bad memory for the Rams. Last year, the Mustangs came out the victors in a physical 21-14 game at Standridge Stadium and began a 3 game losing streak for the Rams. And with playoffs and a district championship the goal of both teams, this year's contest should be a classic showdown. Game time is set for 7:30pm at Ram Stadium and some Homecoming festivities will begin before kickoff so get their early.

Click here to check out this weeks' Dallas Morning News Area Football Rankings and 5A TexasFootball.com State Rankings, as of 9-27-2009


http://www.hsgametime.com/dfw/sharedcontent/dws/content/topstories/stories/092809dnpohsrankings.305cbb3.html

http://www.5atexasfootball.com/ssp/top_25


Coach Scott Sellers
Sept. 27, 2009

The 2009 non-district schedule has shown several things to be "true" about this year's Ram football team. First of all, this team has the potential to have one of the best defenses in the state. Desoto managed 1 offensive touchdown in their 13-10 win over the Rams and they immediately followed by scoring 64 points against Duncanville last week. Secondly, the Rams offense has shown they can score points, as they tallied 49 and 41 the first 2 games against South Grand Prairie and North Crowley. But in the end, nothing that has happened thus far really matters at this point. The "real" season begins on Thursday, Sept. 24 as the Rams open District 9-5A play when they travel to Kincaide Stadium to take on the Molina Jaguars. The Rams, 2-1, are ranked #12 in the Dallas Morning News 5A Area poll and are hungry to get a win in their district opener. The Jaguars enter the contest with an 0-3 mark, having lost to FW Dunbar, FW Northside, and Pinkston in non-district play. The Jaguars have managed only 20 points in their three games and the Rams have history on their side as they have never beaten the Rams. Game time is set for 7pm.

Click the link below to check out the Dallas Morning News area football rankings, as of Sept. 20.

http://www.hsgametime.com/dfw/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/football/polls/stories/092109dnspohsrankings.19c58607a.html