The Devastating Loss

Photo+by+Aileen+Devlin%2C+courtesy+of+http%3A%2F%2Ffullframe.dailypress.com%2Fpage%2F2%2F

Photo by Aileen Devlin, courtesy of http://fullframe.dailypress.com/page/2/

Caleb Kraegenbrink runs down Dinwiddie’s defensive line.

http://www.vagazette.com/sports/dp-pictures-2015-bay-rivers-football-20150730-photogallery.html
Shiloh Ward tries a pass over Dinwiddie defense

Lafayette was eliminated from the state semifinal game by Dinwiddie. Lafayette was on a road to states after playing Eastern View beating them 48-21. The Rams moved on with a winning record 13-0. Lafayette’s next opponent was Dinwiddie, with the same record 13-0. Going into this game Lafayette knew they had to bring everything they had to win. This game meant a lot to both teams because who ever won this game would win the state championship.

The game first started with a crowd of Dinwiddie fans roaring in the stands. As Dinwiddie players started headed onto the field, emotions started to go sky high. The Rams were ready to take on the generals. The first kick off occurred and the Generals took the first snap of the game. The Rams defense forced a 3 and out on the first drive. As the Rams’ offense took the field. They were running the ball down the generals face. A couple of bad penalties put the Rams in bad field position and caused them to punt the ball. Dinwiddie took the ball once again the scored off a 20-yard pass, to put the Generals up 7-0. The Generals kicked the ball the Lafayette and the Rams came out running the ball. Senior running backs Caleb Kraegenbrink and Kyle Johnson ran the ball to put Lafayette in good field position. Junior Shiloh Ward scored a touchdown to put 7 points on the board to tie the score 7-7. Lafayette kicked the ball off to the Generals but Lafayette defense didn’t have an answer to the General’s offense so they broke one up the middle for 54 yards to lead the game 14-7. Lafayette’s offense got the ball and didn’t have answer to put up points on the board. The Rams turned the ball over deep in Dinwiddie’s territory. Lafayette Ram’s defense woke causing a couple tackles in the back field. The Generals answered back with a 36-yard touchdown pass to the score 21-7 at the end of the second quarter. As the Rams headed into the locker room not very happy about the game, they weren’t worried because they had 24 minutes come back and win.

The start of the third quarter the Rams came out furious to come back and win this game. Lafayette received the ball first and begun trying to pass the ball more to get the ball down the field faster. Dinwiddie defense made some bad plays causing penalties that gave the Rams good field position to score. The Generals held the Rams scoreless however, so the score remained 21-7.

Photo by Aileen Devlin, courtesy of http://fullframe.dailypress.com/page/2/
Caleb Kraegenbrink tramples over the Dinwiddie defense

At the start of the fourth quarter the Rams still trailing the game by two touchdowns, they still held onto hope to win the game. Dinwiddie’s offense was unstoppable as they scored again with a 25-yard run to lead 28-7. This wasn’t looking too good for the Rams. They came back on the field fighting to score and come back and win the game. Lafayette finally put up a late score at the end of the quarter to end the game 28-14.

 

Although the Rams didn’t come out victorious they all played their hearts out for each other. This was one of the best group of Lafayette players ever. These Rams finished the season off 13-1 season.