Rams score early and often against rivals

Dayton – The Regis Rams ran over Dayton for three touchdowns in the first ten minutes of the game, taking the suspense out of the much anticipated renewal of their rivalry with the perennial power from the West Valley League. Regis has advanced to the state playoffs the last 13 years in a row, while Dayton has gone to the post season the last 26 seasons. The teams’ consistent appearances in the playoffs have made their traditional early season matchup a game of interest state wide.

The defending PacWest champion Rams gave new head coach Kyle Fessler an easy win in his first outing since stepping up from his role as an assistant, and served notice that they will remain a force, despite the coaching change, and graduation losses.

Senior running back Jason Gower, a first team selection last season, opened the scoring with a 16 yard run just over four minutes into the game. Long scoring sprints of 40 and 32 yards followed, and Derek Piete, who had the third score, also connected on all three conversion kicks for a 21-0 Ram lead with 1:55 still left in the first quarter.

Dayton’s defense finally recovered, and the score stayed the same until nearly the end of the third quarter. Gower got his second scoring scamper, an 11 yard touchdown with 55 seconds left in the quarter. Meanwhile, the Ram defense continued to pitch a shutout, as Dayton couldn’t score with their rush oriented offense, or force Regis to back off with the pass.

Senior quarterback Dylan Bochsler, last year’s first-team all Pac West selection, introduced tight end Darrel Risen, a transfer from Creswell, with a 9 yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter, as the Rams pushed the lead to 34-0.

Only a 66 yard scoring run by Dayton’s Spencer Andrews with three minutes left in the game spoiled the Rams’ strong start to the season. The carry represented more than half of Andrews’ game leading 119 yards.

Gower had only 36 yards rushing on seven carries, but capitalized for the two touchdowns, while Piete lead the Regis, with 72 yards rushing, and another 46 yards on two catches.

Regis’ home opener is Friday, when the Rams host the Amity Warriors, another West Valley league contender. It will be Amity’s first game of the season.

Regis 21 0 6 7 - 34

Dayton 0 0 0 8 - 8

First Quarter

Regis – Gower 16 yd. run (Piete kick) 7:39

R – Wurzer 40 yd. run (Piete kick) 3:41

R – Piete 32 yd. run (Piete kick) 1:55

Third Quarter

R – Gower 11 yd. run (run failed) :55

Fourth Quarter

R – Risen 9 yd. pass from Bochsler (Piete kick) 6:02

Dayton – Andrews 66 yd. run (Andrews pass from May) 3:00

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