Cleveland Jumps to Big Lead and Holds off Ingraham

Cleveland Jumps to Big Lead and Holds off Ingraham
By Colin Caruso

Even an 18-0 splurge in the fourth quarter by the Ingraham Rams was not enough to upset the bigger Cleveland Eagles. In the first contest of the night at Memorial Stadium in Seattle, Cleveland jumped out to a comfortable 34-0 lead through three quarters and coasted to a 34-18 victory. The game began with an onside kick by Cleveland, recovered by the Eagles in Rams territory. The Rams forced a turnover on downs, but fumbled the ball two plays later on their own 3 yard line to give Rachaun McConico an easy rushing touchdown on the next play, his first of two on the day. Unfortunately for the Eagles, McConico had to leave the game after his second touchdown later in the first quarter due to a shoulder injury. But that didn’t stop the Cleveland, who continued to attempt onside kicks and put pressure on the Rams special teams. Rams turnovers didn’t help their cause in the first half either, with another fumble and an interception Cleveland was able to jump out to a 26-0 lead at half.

Another Ingraham fumble on their first possession of the second half allowed then Eagles QB Gartiez Darden to throw a touchdown to Dale Daniels, Daniels’ second score of the game. Ingraham was unable to put together a promising drive in the third quarter, and trailed 34-0 going into the fourth.

With Cleveland’s first string still on the field early in the fourth, Ingraham began their comeback. Senior Nate Han was able to punch in a rushing touchdown, and Ryan Kyle threw a touchdown pass to Louie Richardson to cut the lead to 34-12. Sophomore Emmery Porter added another rushing TD for Ingraham later in the fourth, but at this point the game was securely in the hands of Cleveland, who took the contest 34-18.

Top Performers:
Cleveland
Rachaun McConico – 2 rushing TD
Gartiez Darden – 1 rushing TD, 1 passing TD, INT
Dale Daniels – 2 receiving TD