Published: October 24, 2009 12:49 am      

Rams find stride in ‘team effort’

RACELAND — Raceland finally retrieved its mojo Friday night.

At least that’s what Rams’ senior Jeremy Barr called it.

“We were all feeling good out there,” Barr said. “Our whole offense clicked. We had to do it in a game like this. Now we have good confidence and some mojo going into the playoffs.”

Raceland (6-4) turned in an all-around effort to beat Russell, 27-15, at Rams Stadium in the third annual Rail Cities Bowl, closing out both teams’ regular seasons.

Key defensive stands and an unstoppable aerial attack lifted Raceland to its second win over rival Russell in three years.

“It was a total team effort on everybody’s part,” said Raceland coach Randy Vanderhoof. “Our assistant coaches did a fantastic job on preparing our kids for this game. This is the best complete game we’ve played all year.”

Raceland quarterback Tyler Farley, who was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, threw for 328 yards on 18 of 27 passing and three touchdowns. He also ran for another.

However, it was Raceland’s defense that allowed the offense to put the game away.

Trailing 20-15, Russell drove the ball from its own 40-yard line into the red zone in the fourth quarter. Patrick Cooper completed a 45-yard pass to Travis Jones to highlight the possession. Raceland responded by forcing Russell to go for it on fourth-and-nine from the 15-yard line. Cooper dropped back and threw to the left side of the end zone, but Barr cut inside to make an interception.

Raceland capitalized quickly, with a 45-yard connection to Barr from Farley, followed by a 35-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Shearer.

Farley completed passes to six different receivers and had success throwing to Barr over the middle all game long. Barr caught six passes for 141 yards and had just one drop. He also ran for 36 yards and scored once.

Due to a broken leg and other health issues, Barr had not seen action until the previous three games before Friday night, and that was limited.

“I’ve been working hard at practice,” Barr said. “I wasn’t going to give up on the team. I knew eventually that I’d be fine and be healthy.”

Russell coach Ivan McGlone was disappointed in his team’s pass defense.

“We just stand and watch the ball,” McGlone said. “We’ve struggled all year with that. We don’t break on the ball. Maybe next year, we’ll get a little older and a little better.”

Russell (6-4) took advantage of great field position attained following spotty special teams play by Raceland in the first half.

The Red Devils scored on a 14-yard run by Jones, Russell’s MVP, after a nine-yard punt set Russell up at Raceland’s 22. Later, in the second quarter, Russell battled back from two straight scores by Raceland to find the end zone behind Will Rice after a 48-yard kick return by Nathan Taylor. Rice added the two-point conversion to give Russell the halftime lead, 15-14.

Jones, Rice and Kamron Smith led the defensive effort for Russell.

Several players accounted for Raceland’s solid defense, with senior Cody Grant leading the way.

Vanderhoof credited the offensive line for the impressive Rams’ passing parade.

“(Farley) and our receivers and backs would be first to say that the offensive line did a heck of a job up front giving time to throw the football,” Vanderhoof said.

Downfield blocking also turned two short screen passes to Shearer into long touchdown passes of 70 and 35 yards.

AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.