No. 5 Chiefs crush No. 3 Townsend, 51-19
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RONAN – It just keeps getting better for the Ronan Chiefs football team as they settle into Class B. After two big wins to start the season, the fifth-ranked Chiefs faced the unbeaten, third ranked Townsend at home on Friday. Head coach Jim Benn said he couldn’t be more pleased with how his team took charge early on.
“We executed offensively and defensively very well in the first half,” Benn said.
During the first half both teams pounded the ball on the ground, but the Chiefs offensive line was the difference maker in providing the Chiefs with an early 28-7 lead by halftime.
Jake Skelton led the way for the Chiefs’ offense, carrying the ball 12 times for 102 yards, including three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Robbie Gauthier stepped up to complete all three of his passes for 52 yards, while rushing for 32 on the ground.
“Our offensive line had a great game,” Benn said. “They opened big holes for our backs. Our offensive backfield did an excellent job with their ball fakes.”
Ronan made quite a few mistakes during the second half, which Benn said his team needs to work on this coming week.
“We put ourselves in some bad positions in the second half with turnovers and penalties,” he explained. “We need to improve in those categories in order to be the best team that we can be.”
Judging by the rout of one of the top Class B teams, the Chiefs’ could make a big run at state if they keep burying their opponents.
Townsend attempted to catch up by going to the air. This offensive move allowed Carston Baerstch to pick off a pass, returning it for a score, while Gauthier added another interception for a 70-yard touchdown.
“Defensively, we overcame some turnovers by the offense and took two more interceptions back for touchdowns,” Benn said.
Ronan added eight points in the third quarter, followed by 15 in the fourth to win big over Townsend, 51-19.
With the win, the Chiefs improve to 3-0, while Townsend fell to 2-1.
Ronan’s next game will be against Manhattan on the road this Friday, where the Chiefs will face a similar offense to their own, the wing-t scheme.
“They have an excellent quarterback who is a true, dual-threat,” Benn said “Defensively they are sound and rally to the football very well.”
SUMMARY
Townsend 0 7 12 0 - 19
Ronan 14 14 8 15 - 51
R - Robbie Gauthier 10 run (Gauthier run)
R - Jake Skelton 10 run (pass failed)
T - Zane McArthur 10 pass from Ryan Reddick (Eric Rayone kick)
R - Skelton 8 run (Chris Clary pass from Gauthier)
R - Marcus Hungerford 32 pass from Gauthier (pass failed)
R - Skelton 6 run (Edmond Dupuis pass from Gauthier)
T - Kenny Wilbur 13 run (kick failed)
T - Colin Hoeffner 9 run (kick failed)
R - Carston Baerstch 40 interception return (Clary pass from Gauthier)
R - Gauthier 70 interception return (Dalton Molzhon kick)
