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By Bill Bray

FINDLAY – Pitiful, lackluster, effortless, embarrassing is just some of the words used to describing the performance displayed by the Little Giants in the second half of their 34-14 thumping at the hands of the Findlay Trojans Friday night at Donnell Stadium.

The Little Giants (5-1 and 2-1) took on a Findlay team who had won two of their first five contests.

As the game got underway, Findlay struck first with 1:30 gone in the first quarter when Trojan quarterback, Ryan Montgomery ran in from four yards out to give the Trojans the first lead of the night. Their extra point by Trace Robinson was no good.

Ross, starting the game with the same confidence they had displayed the previous five weeks, answered Findlay’s score with one of their own as Kaden Holmes connected with Labronze Barnett on a three-yard reception and score at the 2:40 of the first quarter.  Ross had, what would prove to be, their only lead of the night after Johan Silver converted the extra point. Ross led 7-6.

But in the second quarter a chance in mentality starting to come over the Giants. Thanks to the passing of Montgomery who finished the game 26 of 36 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Findlay scored twice, one on a Montgomery to Terrion Ross pass that covered six yards at the 4:41 mark. A five-yard strike to Ben Ireland from Montgomery with just :21 left in the half was their second score of the period.  “We’re not strong in the defensive secondary,” Ross coach Chad Long said. “We thought it was the backbone of our defense coming into this year but actually our front seven have done very well but our back half have just not performed to their abilities at all.”

The score was 20-7 in favor of Findlay as the second half started.  But it was obvious to some that the Ross team, on the field Friday night, was not the same Ross team that had exhibited fire and passion for the game of football over the last five week.

“No one was wanting to step up to make a play,” Long said after the fiasco. “The secondary was playing as soft as could be. The performance out there was just pathetic.” When one thinks that Toledo Whitmer beat Findlay 40-6, it is hoped with that being the case, that Ross’ brand of football improves over the final four weeks of the season.

In the third quarter Ross closed the Findlay advantage to 20-14 when Holmes hit Adam Hrynciw with a four-yard pitch and catch at the 7:14 mark. That would be the end of the Ross scoring for the night.

The fourth quarter was all Findlay as Montgomery hit Ireland again this time with a 56-yard pass play. The point after was good by Robinson and the Little Giant morale was in the basement.  Findlay took advantage tacking on a fifth scoring play of the night when Isaac James sprinted 54 yards for the nightcap. Robinson was good on the PAT again and with 11:46 left The Little Giants had no answers.

“I think it is strictly on effort,” Long continued after the contest. “They came with fire and energy, and we had no effort and were as flat as could be. When you don’t show up and give effort and energy this is what happens.”

The Ross offense, who Long talked about being flat and not putting forth a great effort, had 353 total yards to Findlay’s 520.

“We tell these guys every week that opponents are going to give us their very best,” Long said. “Our guys, I don’t know if they have been reading too many of the clippings or what, but Findlay came at us with their very best and they were able to come away with the victory tonight.”

On the ground Ross’ totals were, well quite frankly, an embarrassment.  Fremont Ross gained 74 rushing yards on 25 carries a 3.0 yard per carry average.  That is not the way to win games and that is not Fremont Ross football.

Kaden Holmes, who was not himself through the four quarters of play, connected on 26 of 47 passes for 279 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.  Holmes gained 44 yards on 12 carries and Labronze Barnett added 38 yards on 11 carries. On the receiving end, Bryson Hammer caught eight balls for 78 yards, Elijah Simms had five receptions for 75 yards, Adam Hrynciw caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Vann had five catches for 42 yards and Barnett had a touchdown and caught four passes for 31 yards.  Vann was the leading tackler on the Ross defense with six tackles, four solo tackles, four assists and one tackle for a loss.

Ross is back on the road Friday as they Travel to take on the Toledo St. Johns Titans who have a record of 2-3 and 0-3 in the TRAC.

You can see additional photos by going to the link below

https://williambray.smugmug.com/Fremont-Ross-vs-Findlay

 

 

 
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