Going, Going... October 5th 2002 By Sportscaster17 PAT Attempts Cost Redmen in Loss to Rams

   BELLEVUE, OH - At just after ten o’clock Friday night, Bellevue High School maintenance people shut down the lights at BAF Stadium. However, it was the scrappy Upper Sandusky Rams who shut off the lights on Bellevue’s NOL and playoff hopes just minutes earlier.

   Coming off an emotional loss at home versus Willard, the Rams sought to prove themselves worthy of NOL Championship and playoff talks. They came into a storied building, and outplayed their opponents. What resulted in the end was a 28-24 triumph over the defending champs. Beaten in their own backyard.

   The loss for Bellevue was exceptionally frustrating because special teams, specifically the point-after-touchdown attempts, cost them a shot at a win. The Redmen missed all four of their conversion attempts, including a kick and three two-point tries.

   It was the Rams who would break the game’s ice with just over six minutes to play in the first quarter. Following a 40-yard interception return, Upper began its offensive drive at the Bellevue 10. A short run, and a long Bill Evert sack later, and the Rams were looking at third and goal from the 19. To painfully remind Redmen fans of an eerily similar play at Willard three weeks ago, Upper quarterback Ross Niederkohr drilled a wide-open Brian Hahn for the easy score. The point after was good and the Rams for once held a lead against Bellevue, 7-0.

   The two clubs exchanged punts on their next possessions, and the Redmen would send its offense back to the battlefield with short time remaining in the first. The Bellevue rushing attack once again proved ineffective, so Jon Journay instead found Ben Snyder for a 10-yard pickup, and with the ball on the Upper 38-yard line, Journay struck gold. He zipped a dart to Matt Lepley, who raced by the Ram defenders for the score. Mike Snyder’s kick attempt was pushed right, and the Rams still held a 7-6 advantage.

   That’s the way the scoreboard would read after one quarter. However, Upper had driven to the Bellevue nine, which is where the second quarter commenced. A couple of key defensive plays later, and the Rams once again looked at third and long. Unfortunately, the third-and-long defensive meltdowns continued for the Redmen, as they watched in awe as Niederkohr floated in another nonchalant touchdown pass. The kick was missed, and Upper enjoyed a 13-6 lead with 10:27 remaining in the first half.

   Bellevue was quick to respond. Head Coach Ed Nasonti, perhaps somewhat concerned at the prospect of digging too deep a hole, made a quarterback change. Out went sophomore Jon Journay; in went junior Matt Lepley. Nasonti’s move paid off, as Lepley took over the drive, finally exploding on a 54-yard blast. Lepley was then penalized somehow by the officials, who had obviously never scored a touchdown in their lives. The officials ruled the Lepley “excessively celebrated” after his score. Whatever, the point after attempt would be moved to the 18-yard line. The two-point try failed, and the Redmen still trailed 13-12.

   The two teams then traded fumbles, and when the dust had finally settled, Upper had possession on the Bellevue 26. The Rams looked like they might have dealt the knockout blow with a 14-yard touchdown run, followed by the successful two-point conversion. A 21-12 lead with 2:23 to go until half. It was safe to say that in the East stands, confidence was high.

   The Redmen continued to fight on the very next play. Matt Lepley took the kickoff 90 yards for a critical touchdown. The two-point conversion failed again, and Upper had a 21-18 lead with 2:07 left in the first half.

   The score would remain that way through the intermission. As fans frantically scurried to put on and take off their rain gear, the bands from both schools put on admirable performances.

   Much of the third period was a stalemate, until the Rams broke the game open with a 56-yard touchdown run by Blake England. The kick was good to give Upper a commanding 28-18 lead with just 53 seconds to play in the third. The period ended that way, and the two teams continued to push back and forth.

   Now in the fourth, and fueled by a long Ben Snyder punt return, the Redmen offense mounted one final charge. Two key pass plays set up the Redmen with first and goal at the Upper two-yard line. The Redmen would need all four downs to gain the six feet and six points to draw closer at 28-24. The final conversion attempt failed and the score remained 28-24 in favor of the visitors.

   The Rams tried their best to give the Redmen two final chances with inside of three minutes to play, but Bellevue was not able to capitalize. The Rams would fumble on their next possession, but Journay returned the favor on a long pass play into double coverage that left fans scratching their heads. Upper finally decided to put an end to the game, as they took a knee, and began to celebrate arguably the program’s biggest win.

   Bellevue (4-3, 0-3) is left searching for answers heading into Whitney Field next Friday night. Jordan Horowitz’ Truckers played Willard very tough in week five, and are coming off an emotional 18-13 Homecoming win over Shelby. Upper Sandusky (6-1, 2-1) will travel to Tornado Alley to deal with a charged-up Columbian club, fresh off a 21-19 stunning win over previously unbeaten Willard.