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Whirlwind scoring duel leaves Shepherd still standing

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Oct 29, 2021

Shepherd’s defense celebrates after stopping West Chester on downs to win the game. David Pennock

SHEPHERDSTOWN — That breeze coming from the Shepherd-favoring crowd on the west side of Ram Stadium could have been caused by a collective sigh of relief, because the Rams had just held West Chester without any points on the Golden Rams’ last two possessions and had salted aw a 42-38 conference win in what mostly looked to be a battle royal of points and more points.

Holding on to a four-point lead with West Chester grinding toward what could prove to be a game-winning touchdown, the Rams provided a Homecoming gathering of nearly 6,000 with relieved grins when West Chester quarterback Shane Dooley (who had thrown for five TDs) overthrew a sideline target on fourth down and only about a minute to play.

The lively and appreciative crowd breathe again. West Chester, which had trailed, 14-0, after Shepherd’s Sidrick Ofori had blocked a punt that was returned to the Golden Ram two by Terrell Lindsey, was finally out of ammunition, wherewithal and time.

Alumni, their children and friends of the university, now celebrating its 150th anniversary, could discuss the constant changes of momentum and emotion as they walked slowly toward the school’s Midway for entertainment or the front of McMurran Hall for food, drink and the reunions with other Shepherd acquaintances.

Shepherd had won the “points and more points” skirmish.

Kyle Smith tackles West Chester quarterback Shane Doole, during Shepherd’s Homecoming game on Saturday. David Pennock

Two Shepherd players who had missed the two previous games — Ty Hebron and Jonathan Moss — returned to face the Golden Rams. And Hebron had what might amount to a career day when he ran 11 times for 174 yards and breakaway scores of 26 and 84 yards.

West Chester had 78 offensive plays to Shepherd’s 48 snaps. The total offense sheets were comparable with West Chester gaining 433 yards (receiver Seth Degree was Dooley’s favorite target, grabbing seven receptions of 122 yards and two touchdowns) and Shepherd answering back with 429 yards.

It was the penalty yardage that almost capsized the homestanding Rams. Four personal fouls, a roughing the passer, a roughing the kicker, face mask violation and two holding infractions were assessed against Shepherd as 10 penalties in all nearly brought the Rams down because they extended West Chester drives throughout the sometimes rainy afternoon.

In the very end, West Chester could not score with its last two possessions and the 17 tackles of Ponce Deleon, 11 stops by Chrys Lane, seven from Juwan Addison, six by free safety Antonio Fox and six from linebacker Enelio Pena were just enough. Lane and Addison each had two sacks and Addison even forced a fumble.

Besides Hebron’s two much-needed scores, the other Shepherd TDs were provided by Tyson Bagent, Ryan Beach, Josh Gontarek and Ronnie Brown. Bagent threw for three scores and 234 yards on his 19 completions in 27 passes (one interception). Hayden August-Scriven was true on all six of his extra point tries. And Shepherd having a four-point lead in the frantic last minutes meant a field goal wouldn’t help the frustrated Golden Rams.

Malakai Brown, a former Martinsburg High School Bulldog, threads his way upfield against the West Chester defense in Shepherd’s Homecoming game. David Pennock

After Shepherd’s brief 14-0 lead, West Chester reduced its deficit to 21-17 at halftime. In the early free-for-all scoring in the second half, the visiting Golden Rams held slim leads of 24-21, 31-28 and 38-35.

Shepherd staggered the Golden Rams with three long “home run” touchdowns of 84, 42 and 26 yards and its final points that gave it the never-to-be overtaken 42-38 lead was an 11-yarder.

West Chester didn’t score with its two possessions in the fourth quarter. And Shepherd had just seven points in that period.

Homecoming had seen Shepherd be four points better. And the season moves forward with the Rams at 7-1 and still very much alive in the positioning for any NCAA Division II Super Region One playoff berth.

Shepherd receiver Greg Leonard turns upfield after a pass reception, during the 2021 Homecoming game on Saturday afternoon. David Pennock