RAMS STEAMROLL CHARLESTON FOR TITLE

CHARLESTON -- Scott City High's football team knew things would get a lot tougher Friday night.

But the Rams were more than up to the challenge.

The Rams, keyed by a stifling defense and the running of Matt Underwood, knocked off a game but outmanned Charleston squad 34-0 Friday night to win the Class 2A, District 2 title.

Scott City, capturing its first district crown since 1993, finished the regular season with a 9-1 overall record and a 3-0 district mark. The Rams will play host to Malden Wednesday night in a first-round playoff game.

Charleston ends its season at 4-5 overall and 2-1 in district play.

"I'm tickled for the kids," said Scott City coach Terry Flannigan, who will be leading the Rams into the playoffs for the first time in his four seasons at the school. "They put in a lot of hard work and they deserve this."

The Rams, ranked fifth in the state, had rolled past their first two district foes by scores of 74-0 and 69-13, doing almost all of the damage in the first half of those contests.

A lot of folks thought maybe the Rams weren't quite as good as they were cracked up to be and some people even thought that Charleston -- which has been a frequent Class 3A playoff team in recent years -- would severely challenge Scott City.

But the Rams silenced any critic they might have had with a dominating performance that saw them roll up 303 yards of offense while limiting the Blue Jays to only 57 yards, including no passing yards.

"We've dominated our schedule and we mainly had been doing everything in the first half," said Scott City senior Steven Thomas, a terror at linebacker and tight end. "We wanted to prove to everybody that we're for real."

For the many Scott City seniors, the victory was especially sweet because it puts the Rams in the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

"I've been thinking about this since my freshman year," said senior quarterback Lance Amick.

Added Thomas, "We've watched all those great Scott City teams that used to make the playoffs. This was definitely a goal of ours. But we don't want to stop here."

Underwood, the Rams' sensational junior tailback, rushed for 171 yards on 35 carries and scored three touchdowns, on runs of 11, 1 and 2 yards. Underwood now has more than 1,600 yards for the season and he's scored 24 touchdowns.

"The line really opened up some holes," said Underwood, crediting his offensive front of seniors Jeremy Mouser, Brandon Hillemann, John Wipfler, Ryan Steimle and Thomas, along with junior Wade Powers. "Everybody has said the line is our strength and they showed it tonight."

Charleston hung tough, especially defensively, for much of the contest. But the Blue Jays small linemen simply got worn down by Scott City's big fronts.

The Blue Jays trailed only 13-0 at halftime and that was still the score entering the fourth quarter, when the Rams iced the victory with three touchdowns.

"With all the injuries we've had this year, to come out here tonight with a shot at the district championship says a lot for this team," said Charleston coach Dan Kesselring.

After a scoreless first quarter, Underwood went over from 11 yards out early in the second period for a 6-0 lead. The kick failed.

Late in the opening half, Scott City recovered a fumble at Charleston's 20 and scored on Underwood's 2-yard run. The first of four Lucas Ward conversion kicks made it 13-0 at the break.

Both defenses took over in the scoreless third quarter before the Rams romped in the final period.

An 11-yard touchdown pass from Amick to Jason Bickings early in the quarter made it 20-0.

Brandon Amick then intercepted a pass and returned it 69 yards before being hauled down at the Charleston one. Underwood scored on the next play to make it 27-0.

Terry Enderle rounded out the scoring with an 11-yard run.

All that was then left was for the remaining minutes to run out and for the Rams to celebrate.

"Scott City is for real," said senior defensive line stalwart Brandon Delrosa with emphasis.

He'll likely get few arguments.