After all the hype leading up to the clash between Prep and McDowell’s football teams, it is no understatement to say  that the game lived up to the hype. Bryce Boyd certainly got the game started in proper fashion by returning the opening kickoff 90 yards for an explosive touchdown, followed up by a missed extra point making the score 6-0 Ramblers.
Later in the first quarter, Zach Bednarowicz drilled a 25-yard field goal, putting the Ramblers up 9-0. After a mostly quiet second quarter scoring wise for both teams, the Ramblers headed into halftime with a 9-3 lead. The momentum shifted in the 3rd quarter after a touchdown drive for the Trojans. However, Prep quickly responded with a thunderous score from DeAngelo Malone from 24 yards out, followed by a successful 2-point conversion by Sam Sweny.
Malone’s memorable night was not yet over though, as he added a 60-yard 4th quarter touchdown to seal the game’s final score of 24-10. The Rambler defense was a huge boost for the team the entire day, including a fourth quarter interception from Ta’Nauz Gregory and multiple sacks throughout the game from the front seven of the Ramblers.
Penalties were a major factor throughout the entire game, as the teams accumulated 17 total flags for 164 yards between the two teams. Prep had 9 penalties for 65 yards while McDowell had 8 penalties for 95 yards. After the game, Andrew Chludzinski said, “It felt good to win, especially since this is our senior year, so it’s always good to go out with a bang.” The Ramblers are back at it on Friday when they play host to DuBois at Dollinger Field.