Corvallis rallies past Ronan Chiefs, 26-20

At Corvallis, it was trick or treat time in the Bitteroot for the host Blue Devil gridders on Senior Night before Halloween. What was thought to be the initial trick? The visiting Chiefs jumped out to a three-possession lead in the first frame.

At that juncture, the Blue Devils were feeling some orange and black heat that was sparked when Daniel Kelsch caught a pair of receiving TDs from Eric Dolence for a 12-0 lead.

Corvallis was on the march late in the first quarter when the ball fumbled by a Blue Devil player.

Fumbles tend to be a misnomer as if the player who loses the ball were eating buttered popcorn on the sideline during a break in the action and couldn’t hold onto the ball because it slipped through their fingers. Many fumbles tend to be forced, meaning the ball was securely tucked away if prying hands weren’t involved or balled fists weren’t trying to poke it free.

Ronan defensive back Trapper McAllister picked up the ball and returned it about 15 yards, but was tackled a handful of yards shy of the endzone. Matt Victor would add the frosting to the defensive highlight by extending the Chiefs lead to three scores and a 20-0 advantage.

Corvallis countered with a TD pass reception in the second quarter, but Ronan still held a two-possession edge 20-6 at intermission.

Corvallis would carve further into the deficit with a rushing touchdown and subsequent conversion run. But Ronan still held a one possession lead heading into the final frame.

The actual Devil-ish trick: Early into the final period, Corvallis quarterback Jaymark Liedle would hand off to running back Preston Griffin. Initially, that didn’t seem all that unusual as Griffin would rush for yardage gain about two dozen times over the course of the game. But this time, he would drop back while his quarterback Liedle rolled out. The result would catch the Chief defense off guard as the play went three dozen yards for the tying score, 20-all.

The treat: Corvallis would tally the go ahead TD later in the final frame to clip the Chiefs, inflicting them with the bitter taste of defeat rather than the sweet savor of victory.

Corvallis 26, Ronan 20

Ronan (1-8), Corvallis (3-6)

Ronan 20 0 0 0 – 20

Corvallis 0 6 8 12 – 26

R – Daniel Kelsch 66 pass from Eric Dolence (pass failed)

R – D.Kelsch 19 pass from Dolence (pass failed)

R – Matt Victor 5 run ([who?] pass from Dolence) FR

C – Mace Marshall 23 pass from Jaymark Liedle (run failed)

C – Preston Griffin 1 run (Dustin Terracciano run)

C – J.Liedle 36 pass from Preston Griffin (run failed)

C – Terrracciano 4 run (kick failed)

RUSH – R25-120 (Dolence 6-30, Victor 2-22, Daniel Bishop 5-15, Trapper McAllister 2-11, Bruin Largent 4-8, D.Kelsch 4-2, noID 2-32), C55-291 (P.Griffin 25-132, Terracciano 11-67, J.Liedle 12-50). PASS – R12-30-169-1 (Dolence 12-29-164-1, D.Kelsch 0-1), C4-72 (J.Liedle 3-8-36, P.Griffin 1-1-36) REC – R12-169 (D.Kelsch 4-69, Kolby Reum 4-19, Victor 1-12, D.Bishop 1-9, T.McAllister 1-3, B.Largent 1-2), C4-72 (Chase Tucker 1-7, Scott Skelton 1-6). KR – R(K.Reum 2-14, Jay.Rodda 1-5). PR – R(T.McAllister 2-15). FF – D.Kelsch, T.McAllister. FR – D.Kelsch, T.McAllister. TFL – Reum, B.Largent. TKL/AST (R30t36a) – K.Reum 7t5a, D.Kelsch 3t9a, Dolence 3t4a, Landon Lynch 3t4a, T.McAllister 2t5a, D.Bishop 3t1a, Max Morency 3t1a, B.Largent 2t3a, Jessie LittleBoy 1t3a, Jon Matt 1t1a, Jayden Rodda 1t, Jasen Rodda 1t. (Fr25Oct19)

Hudl: Rush (C48-209), 3Q(14),4Q(6)