Rams beat Pirates 30-7, tackle Doherty next

Brad Picard (#47) ends for the endzone

By Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Shepherd Hill Rams, led by the solid running tandem of Jake Gelb and Drew Jean-Guillaume, defeated the Oxford Pirates 30-7 last Friday night at Oxford High School in a battle between the two neighboring schools.

Senior co-captain Brad Picard’s six-yard first-quarter run opened up the scoring for the Rams and Tyler Simmons’s conversion gave them an 8-0 lead.

Junior Jake Gelb, who seems to be getting better and better every week, then scored on a consecutive pair of long runs (54 yards, 69 yards) in the second quarter to make it 22-0.

Drew Jean-Guillaume topped off the Rams scoring with a huge 92-yard run giving the Rams a commanding 30-0 lead at half time. From that point on, the Rams were able to unload their bench and cruise to the victory over the Pirates.

“Coming into the game, Coach (Chris) Lindstrom stressed to both the players and coaches that anything can happen in a high school football game so we had be prepared for a hard fought game,” said Rams assistant coach Ryan Dugan.  

“To give Oxford's players credit, they came out incredibly fired up and ready to play and maintained that intensity for the entirety of the game,” said Dugan. “Our players came out and executed our game plan on offense, and that allowed us to build a comfortable lead at halftime.  It was nice to be able to get some younger guys and guys who don't get tons of playing time an opportunity in a varsity game throughout the second half.”

The Rams have been getting amazing line play all year and it has opened the doors for their solid running attack and this game was no exception. Gelb finished with 144 yards rushing, while Jean-Guillaume added 136 yards rushing.

“Drew and Jake have been improving all year and they are starting to hit their stride at the right time.  Their progress has been a major catalyst to our improved offense play the past few weeks.  Obviously you can't have these rushing numbers without great line play.”  

Dugan praised the outstanding line play of sophomore Chris Lindstrom and also singled out Tyler Simmons, “whose blocking from the fullback position has been under the radar all year but has been outstanding and integral to the success of the offense.”

Pirates senior Liam Pickett scored on a 59-yard run in the fourth quarter for the Pirates’ only score of the game.

First year head coach Mike Adams and the 1-8 Pirates will travel to Leicester next Friday night to take on the Wolverines before getting ready for their annual Thanksgiving showdown against Auburn.

The Rams have one of their toughest tests of the year when they face the 7-2 Doherty Highlanders in Worcester on Friday night.

“We need to continue the progress on offense and we must get better on defense, especially with tackling, going into the Doherty game,” said Dugan.  “This is a game that will have huge D2 playoff implications, potentially determining the #1 seed.  This game will require our ultimate focus but we our sure that the players are up to the challenge.”

Captions
1. Rams' Chris Lindstrom (#68) leads the way for Jake Gelb (#27)

2. Brad Picard (#47) ends for the endzone

3. Pirates Tyler Barrie (#24) goes airborne for a catch

4. Pirates Coach Mike Adams with quarterback Matt Faucher
5. Tyler Barrie (#24) looking for some running room

6. Chris Lindstrom (#68) blocking for Jake Gelb (#27)

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