By Bill Bray
OREGON– The Fremont Ross Little Giants played inspired football Friday night to defeat the Oregon Clay Eagles 41-28.
“Our kids needed this like no other” coach Chad Long began. “So did the coaches. We have been busting our butts and putting in a lot of time. To see our kids fail is not what we want to see. I’m just so proud of the boys. On both sides of the ball, we played inspired football. JD (Moncrief) had an unbelievable game tonight. Karson (Kayden) got a little bit of redemption We were staying conservative on the offensive side, and we were able to keep their offense off the field. Defensively we were in their offensive back field a lot. It’s hard to tackle that quarterback (Mason Heintschel). We just played a very good game in all three phases tonight.”
Ross, behind an offensive and defensive line who dominated their opponent for the first time since the Sandusky game, allowed their running back, JD Moncrief to scamper for 213 yards on just 23 carries adding one touchdown for the game. It was the most yards gained on the ground for a running back since 2016 when Trevon Alridge ran for 225 yards against Sylvania Southview.
Karson Kayden finished the night hitting on six of 12 passes for 78 yards and three scores. Moncrief led the receiving corps. with two catches for 38 yards and a score. Elijah Simms caught to Kayden passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. Kayden’s third touchdown pass was to Owen Shanahan who hauled in two passes for 27 yards and a score. Shanahan added another touchdown to seal the win with an interception return for a score. The play was helped for Ross by the great pressure that Rhein Hottinger put on Heintschel.
The second half was a shot in the arm for a team that has struggled of late. Fremont scored 20 points in the last quarter and 27 points total in the half.
Next up for the Little Giants is Sylvania Southview who comes in to celebrate Fremont Ross’ Homecoming festivities. “We’ll watch film tomorrow and prepare for another tough opponent in Sylvania Southview. Southview was a 41-0 winner over Bowling Green Friday night.
After rushing for over 200 yards, JD Moncrief runs to the end zone after hauling in a Karson Kayden pass late in the second half.
Owen Shanahan stiff arms an Oregon Clay opponent during first half action.
Fremont’s Żalen Harris makes the Oregon Clay quarterback eat some field turf with a sack.
Rhein Hottinger (7) was a constant thorn in the side of the Clay offensive backfield.
Quarterback Karson Kayden breaks free for a gain.
Karson Kayden discusses strategy with offensive coordinator Jalen Slick.
Elijah Simms put the hit and stop on the Oregon Clay running back.
Jayce Frymire (6) and Tallon Brown (35) make a second half stop.
The Oregon Clay quarterback probably had nightmares all night with Fremont’s Peyton Heschel being the monster.
Again this season, the only way to keep Ross Tackle Dominic Brown out of a play is to hold on to him nice and tight.
Peyton Heschel (hidden) and Blake Schoch (45) make the Oregon Clay quarterback hurry his throw before being sacked.
From left to right.. Blake Schoch, Peyton Heschel and Luke Durbin were solid defensive performers in the Ross victory.
Members of the offensive line (from left) Grant Mies, Evan Franks and Zeb Zucker helped their running back JD Moncrief gain over 200 yards with their preformances from their line positions.
JD Moncrief makes an Oregon Clay defender miss on one of his carries.
Kade Reineck goes high to snag down a snap from center but did manage to get this punt away. Earlier in the game, from a errant snap, Reineck somehow got the punt away from close to Oregon Clay’s end zone. A job well done by the young sophomore.