Sports
Rams expect to lean on senior leadership By Brennen Rupp Sports Writer The Merino Rams have made the 8-man state tournament three straight years and have lost in the opening round all three years. In 2013 they lost to Kiowa 40-22. In 2014 they lost to Vail Christian 38-34. Last year they were ousted by Hoehne 19-8. This year the Rams start the season ranked seventh in the 8-man preseason polls. They return a talented core of players that could help Merino get past the opening round of the state tournament. While not much has changed on the gridiron from last year’s team, there has been a change on the sideline with Rocky DeSanti taking over as head coach for Marlan Tramp. “It’s truly a blessing to be named the head coach,” DeSanti said. The Rams have nine seniors and three juniors on the team this season. DeSanti said that the leadership they pro-
vide will be the strength of the team this year. “We want to play really good football,” DeSanti said. “We have a lot of leadership with nine seniors. We’re focused on getting better in all phases of the game.” Dylan Clifford headlines that talented group of retuning starters for the Rams. As a junior Clifford rushed for 650 yards and five touchdowns, despite missing two games. Clifford also added three receiving touchdowns. On defense he finished fourth on the team with 70 tackles. Fellow senior, Jon Ramey proved to have a nose for the football last year, recording a team-leading 103 tackles. Dylan Holman and Remington Canfield had standout sophomore seasons last year. Holman led the team with six interceptions. Canfield stepped in at quarterback for the injured Wyatt Barton and performed admirably. Canfield passed for 10
South Platte Sentinel
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 Page 30
Dylan Clifford returns as the team’s leading rusher. Clifford took this carry to the house during Merino’s season opener against Lake County. (Jeff Rice / Staff Writer)
touchdowns and added five rushing touchdowns. The Rams opened up the season this past Saturday in Sterling against Lake County. They showed why they are ranked in the preseason top
10 and got the new coaching era started with a convincing 41-12 victory. DeSanti has two goals for his team during his first year at the helm.
“One of our top goals is to be really good academically,” DeSanti said. “That’s important for us. Our second goal is to always leave everything out on the field.”
High Ind. Game: Kevin Wilshusen, 266 High Ind. Series: Kevin
Wilshusen, 722 High Team Game: Motiv Revolution, 998
High Team Series: Road Runners, 2818
Bowling leagues start season - results Continued From Page 28
Atwood Grannies 0 4 High Ind. Game: Susan Ison, 203; (3-way tie) Marge Quint, Lori Quint and Pam Kuntz, 166 High Ind. Series: Susan Ison, 529; Marge Quint, 454 High Team Game: Ison Oil, 615 High Team Series: Ison Oil, 1659 COFFEE BOWL 8-25-16 Team Won Lost Korf Continental 4 0 Spare Parts 2 2 Edwards Market 2 2 Haystack 0 4 High Ind. Game: Carol Horner,
194; Dorie Devie, 190 High Ind. Series: Dorie Devie, 520; Carol Horner, 509 High Team Game: Korf Continental, 508 High Team Series: Korf Continental, 1424
TUESDAY MEN’S LEAGUE 8-24-16 Team Won Lost Road Runners 4 0 Emeron Flooring 3 1 Nations Septic 3 1 Motiv Revolution 2 2 Stoneham Drylanders 2 2 CB AG Repair 1 3 D&J Electric 0 4
A Big Thank You To,
D&D Feedlot and Centennial Soil Conservation for purchasing my market beef at the 2016 Logan County Fair Dick Stull Memorial Livestock Sale.
And to Sterling Livestock Commission for their continued support of the Logan County Fair.
Kobryn Mann
