WESTWOOD — Raceland’s experience, size and strength won out in a matchup of Class A Top 10 football teams Friday night.

The third-ranked Rams scored twice in the final 3:26 of the first half and pulled away in the third quarter for a 37-12 victory against emotionally spent Fairview.

It was a long and difficult day for the Westwood community.

Beloved Fairview teacher, coach and administrator Bob Morrison died early in the morning.

“It was hard on our kids and staff,’’ said Fairview coach Nathan McPeek. “Not to use that as an excuse. There were a bunch of our starters that were crying up until the end of school. It’s been an emotional day.’’

A moment of silence was observed before the game and Fairview players wore helmet stickers with the initials RM positioned above a heart.

The ninth-ranked Eagles hung with Raceland for most of the first half before the Rams took control in the physical, district contest.

“When you try to come out and play the No. 3 team in the state, it’s a tough task,’’ McPeek said. “Raceland is experienced and a very good team. We couldn’t handle them. There’s a reason they are ranked that high.’’

Raceland (3-0) got two long touchdowns from powerhouse running back Bret Denton, who gained 181 yards on only 11 carries.

Meanwhile, the Rams’ defense succeeded where Fairview’s first three opponents failed. That is, in containing elusive quarterback Matt Jones.

Raceland kept Jones out of the end zone on 25 carries, returned an early interception for a touchdown and forced the Eagles to punt seven times.

“Jones makes you very nervous because he’s such a playmaker,’’ said Raceland coach Randy Vanderhoof. “Our coaches did a great job preparing our kids defensively. We were fortunate to keep him in the box. Our defense stepped up and played well against a really good football team.’’

Vanderhoof sympathized with Fairview for the trying circumstances.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Westwood community with the loss of Bob Morrison,’’ Vanderhoof said. “He was well-liked and respected, a friend of all of us in the Raceland community.’’

Fairview made a fourth-down stop near midfield on the game’s opening possession, but Raceland’s defense responded with an even bigger play.

Standout lineman Robby Logan pressured Jones into a floating pass that defensive back Tyler Boyles picked off and returned 58 yards to the end zone.

“It was early in the game but a huge play,’’ Vanderhoof said.

Fairview (3-1) answered with a 77-yard scoring drive that took up more than half of the second quarter. A pair of 15-yard penalties against Raceland helped pave the way and the Eagles cashed in on J.T. Shelton’s 4-yard TD run.

Jones intercepted Boyles on the next series and a personal foul at the end of the play moved the ball to Raceland’s 38. But the Rams’ defense tackled Shelton and Jones for consecutive losses, leading to a short Fairview punt, and Denton broke loose for a 37-yard TD.

Raceland’s Tate Preston added a 25-yard field goal at the end of the half for a 16-6 lead.

The margin ballooned in the third quarter, beginning with Denton’s 69-yard dash down the sideline. John Scott Carver added a 25-yard scoring run and Todd Selvage took a short pass from Boyles and turned it into a dazzling 53-yard TD.

Fairview got a late 3-yard scoring pass from Jones to Stephen Littlejohn. Jones finished 12 of 25 for 77 yards to go with his 82 yards on the ground.

Shelton, held to 19 yards on 10 carries, left in the second half with an injury.

Raceland’s Carver gained 81 yards to provide strong support for Denton. The Rams totaled 288 yards rushing and Boyles finished with 100 through the air.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.