Rams edged in overtime at Jefferson County North

Don’t say they didn’t play hard. Pleasant Ridge took a late lead at Jefferson County Friday, but dropped to 0-2 with a heartbreaking 16-24 overtime loss.

“The kids played hard, they executed, but mistakes and penalties kicked us in the butt,” said coach Pat McCollim.

Down 10-8 late in the second half, Ridge called a trick play on the doorstep of the goal line. Quarterback Blake Graham faked a sweep, then handed to Jarrod Schmalsteig for a five-yard score.

The deception worked because the Rams had gone to the sweep earlier on a Nick Holmes 15-yard run.

“We had that sweep working pretty good,” said McCollim.

One hurdle down, one to go. On the next play, the Rams added a two-point conversion, giving it a 16-10 advantage.

But JCN scored late with four minutes to go and in overtime, the home team found the endzone on fourth and long from the Ridge 10. The Rams came up a yard short of matching when Graham was stopped on fourth and goal at the one-inch line.

The Rams, 0-2, will try to get in the win column next week when they host Oskaloosa.