Rams come from behind to top Leopards

Lakeside running back Isaac Echols breaks free for positive yards in Friday's game at Malvern's Claude Mann Stadium. The Rams won, 21-14. - Photo by Corbet Deary for The Sentinel-Record
Lakeside running back Isaac Echols breaks free for positive yards in Friday's game at Malvern's Claude Mann Stadium. The Rams won, 21-14. - Photo by Corbet Deary for The Sentinel-Record

MALVERN -- After trailing 14-7 at the half, Lakeside managed to make a comeback in the second half to take a 21-14 win over the Malvern Leopards at David Alpe Field at Claude Mann Stadium.

Lakeside quarterback Will Ross threw a screen to Logan White near the halfway point of the third quarter, but a Malvern defender knocked the ball loose, which bounced into the end zone where Ethan Rogers landed on it. Andrew Degrasse kicked the point-after to knot the score with 6:23 left in the third quarter.

Malvern quarterback Cedric Simmons threw an interception on the first play of the ensuing drive to Christian Bell. Eight plays and 65 yards later, Ross ran the ball in from the 1 with 10:03 left in the game. Degrasse's kick set the final.

After both teams struggled on their first few drives, Isaac Echols ran the ball in from the 5 to cap a four-play, 22 yard drive for a 7-0 lead after Degrasse's kick with 5:42 left in the opening quarter.

Malvern responded with Malique Reliford running the ball in from the 10 with just 59 seconds left in the first quarter to cap an eight-play, 67-yard drive. A bad snap left Carter Martin looking to make a pass, connecting with Easton West on the conversion play for an 8-7 lead.

Simmons broke free on the Leopards' next drive for a 29-yard touchdown to cap a three-play, 51-yard drive. The PAT goes wide, leaving the Leopards with a 14-7 lead with 9:22 left in the half.

Echols led the Rams on the ground, rushing 22 times for 124 yards. Ross was 12 for 22 for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Logan White had four catches for 35 yards, Will Perrigo had three for 34 yards and Chase Cross had three catches for 24 yards.

Simmons was 10 for 19 for 82 yards while rushing 25 times for 89 yards. Reliford had four carries for 21 yards, and Jacobe Hart had five rushes for 14 yards.

Reliford also had a 34-yard carry, and Malaki Asher had two carries for 23 yards.

The Rams (2-2) travel to Camden Fairview next week. Malvern (1-2) hosts Bauxite.

Upcoming Events