Eastside Rams Rally to Beat Rickards Raiders
Through the roars of Citizens Field, you could hear fans say …
“This is the best game I’ve seen in 10 years.”
That’s the result of the Eastside Rams fighting back from down by double digits against the Rickards Raiders on Thursday night to win 28-25 and improve to 2-0 on the year.
Sophomore halfback Javaris Gardner had an electric outing, including a 42-yard rushing touchdown, to seal the game for the Rams. He scored two touchdowns to help the Rams overcome a 19-0 third-quarter deficit and gain redemption after last year’s 30-23 loss to the Raiders (1-1) in Tallahassee.
The first half was one to forget for Eastside. After going three-and-out on its first drive, Rickards’ Davion Crumitie returned a punt for a touchdown for a 7-0 lead.
The struggles did not end there for the Rams. After another drive ended with no points, junior quarterback Jordan Kelley drove Rickards for another score and a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.
The second half also started all Rickards, which took a three-score lead on a 72-yard scoring run by senior running back Karlise Price.
Eastside then began the comeback behind the running of Gardner and Kamariyon Mack. Gardner’s first TD made it 19-7 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The turning point of the game came thanks to the Rams’ special teams, which forced a fumble on the ensuing kick off that Braden Brockington returned for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 19-14. The Rams faithful were back into this game.
The Rams kept the momentum going in the fourth quarter. Halfway through, senior quarterback Nelson Tambling found Mack on an out route and he broke multiple tackles on his way to the end zone to complete the 44-yard touchdown that ignited Citizens Field into a frenzy as the Rams went up 21-19. Gardner then helped put the Rams up 28-19 on a 42-yard rushing touchdown.
After Rickards came within 28-25 with a score, the Rams recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
“It was an impressive team win,” Eastside coach Harold “Gator” Hoskins said. “I’m really proud of the guys, because they kept fighting. I challenged them at halftime and they answered.
“The offense did really well, they kept their composure. We were down 19 and nobody gave up, that is what I’m really proud about.”
Eastside looks to do something it has not done in 20 years — start a season 3-0. But it will be a challenge against city rival Buchholz (1-1) at Citizens Field at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Category: Eastside High School, High School Sports
