Late in the fourth quarter of the 2003 class AAA W.P.I.A.L. championship game, experience took over for the Pine-Richland Rams.

A year ago, the Rams (13-0) fell just two yards short of a class AAA championship losing to Hopewell, 20-15 as running back Greg Hough fumbled the football and prevented Pine-Richland from their first-ever football championship.

This year the Rams and Hough used that experience from a year ago to their advantage as they were able to keep a one possession lead late, keep momentum and control the clock to win their first-ever high school football championship defeating the Thomas-Jefferson Jaguars, 21-7 Saturday evening at Heinz Field.

“This is an unbelievable feeling,” Rams senior receiver and safety Neil Walker said. “Being two yards short a year ago, this feels great.”

After a scoreless first quarter between the two teams, Thomas Jefferson (12-1) had a first and goal and a chance for the first score of the game in the second quarter. But, the Rams defense shut down the Jaguars on four consecutive plays inside the Pine-Richland two-yard line.

With the length of the football field in front of them, Rams quarterback Jake Long was intercepted by Brad Dawson of Thomas Jefferson and the Jaguars were back in business. Two plays later Ryan Hicks ran into the end zone from three-yards out and the Jaguars led, 7-0.

Pine-Richland answered very quickly as junior running back Tim Newman broke a 77-yard run to set up Hough from four-yards out to tie the game at 7-7. In the first half, the Jaguars out-gained the Rams, 153-125 and picked up seven first downs to three for the Rams.

In the second half, the Jaguars tried to take the lead in the third quarter as kicker Evan Browne lined up for a 27-yard field-goal attempt, but the kick was no-good and the game was still tied.

With just 1:44 left in the third quarter, the Rams took the lead as Jake Long hit Wes Smallwood on a play-action pass play to give Pine-Richland a 14-7 lead.

In the fourth quarter the Rams played ball controlling offensive as they ran the ball and the clock. The game-capping touchdown came with 4:05 left in the game as Hough scored his second score of the game when he broke a 58-yard touchdown run. The score completed an impressive five play, 67 yard scoring drive and the Rams led, 21-7.

“We came out and showed them that we can play too,” Walker said. “They say defenses win championships and ours did.”

Walker had another key game for the Rams despite being held without a catch or a yard from scrimmage. His pass deflection on the defensive side in the endzone early in the third quarter was a key play, one of many made by the Rams defense in shutting down one of the best offenses in the W.P.I.A.L. For his efforts this season Walker was named the 2003 NSN Player of the Year in Class AAA this morning.

“Our goal now is to win at Hershey,” Walker said.

As the final minutes ran off and the Thomas Jefferson Jaguar football season came to an end, Rams Head Coach Clair Altemus had his first championship and the Rams celebration began.

The Jaguars season ends at 12-1 and were led by their senior quarterback Peter Winovich who finished the game completing 6 of 20 passes for 103 yards and ran the ball 11 times for 56 yards.

Pine-Richland improves to 13-0 and will play Bradford in the semi-final round of the P.I.A.A. playoffs next week. The Rams were led by their senior running back Hough who finished the game with 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Game Summary:

Pine-Richland 0-7-7-7 21
Thomas Jefferson 0-7-0-0 07

2nd: TJ 8:24 Ryan Hicks 3-yd Run(Evan Browne kick)
2nd: PR 6:53 Greg Hough 4-yd Run(Patrick Humes kick)
3rd: PR 6:32 Wes Smallwood 7-yd pass from Jake Long(Humes kick)
4th: PR 4:05 Greg Hough 58-yd Run (Humes kick)