PREP FOOTBALL: Rams win in Idaho, now take on Bellevue

By Steve Brandon

The Portland Tribune, Sep 3, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

It was mission accomplished for Central Catholic, in more ways than one.

The Rams’ football team enjoyed just about every aspect of its long “road” trip last week.

On Friday morning, the Central Catholic contingent flew to Boise, Idaho, on Southwest Airlines (taking up 94 of the 125 seats). Upon landing, the Rams went through practice, played at a water park, held a team meeting, watched a movie, went to bed, got up for joint mass with the opposing team and then beat the Bishop Kelly Knights 42-22.

Then everybody went to watch a real mismatch – Boise State’s 49-7 home win over Idaho State.

“That game wasn’t close, but what a great atmosphere,” Central Catholic coach Steve Pyne says.

The scene was pretty good, too, at Bishop Kelly, where a large crowd came to celebrate a stadium renovation and see if BK could contend with the larger visiting team.

The Rams jumped to an early lead on Gerald Kaufman’s 63-yard punt return. A few minutes later, a high punt snap by Bishop Kelly gave Central the ball at the Knights’ 11-yard line. On the next play, CC quarterback Derek Bowen threw a touchdown pass to Nate Carr.

“One play from scrimmage, and we’re up 14-0,” Pyne says.

The Rams continued to do “good things,” Pyne says. Kaufman intercepted a pass and set up another score with his return. The Rams led 21-7 at the half.

Kaufman finished the Saturday afternoon contest with nearly 150 yards in kick returns.

It was a big day for the 5-10, 190-pounder, who sat out last season while working on academics, and a gratifying day.

“His dad was killed in a trucking accident last year, and his grandfather passed away last week,” Pyne says. “For him to have that kind of game was really special, and great for his family.”

Pyne estimates that 300 to 400 Ram fans were in the stands. They got to see both Central Catholic quarterbacks, Derek Bowen and Jordan Perry, play well. Bowen completed 14 of 20 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a team-high 65 yards and scored on a 27-yard scamper. Perry went 5 for 6 for 66 yards.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit