Wolves win big over Miller Grove
It was no use for the visiting Wolverines of Miller Grove to try and target one Rome player on offense Friday night.
The Wolves were determined to have their way for their first home playoff game in eight years. And they shared the wealth when it came to scoring points.
Eight different players had touchdowns and Rome rushed for 413 yards as they trampled Miller Grove 56-0 at Barron Stadium in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
The Region 7-5A champion Wolves scored on six of their seven first half possessions on their way to a 49-0 lead at the half that led to a running clock in the final two quarters. Rome (9-2) had possession for just 3 minutes and 11 seconds in the first quarter, but used excellent field position and a quick-strike attitude to go up 28-0 after the opening 12 minutes.
“I would imagine it couldn’t get better than that,” Rome head coach John Reid said.
“I thought we played great on special teams, offense and defense in the first quarter. We covered our kickoffs well and we really pushed them.”
Rome running back Jamious Griffin had 123 combined yards in the game to lead all players.
The sophomore ran six times for 62 yards and returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to make it 42-0 following the kick from Emanual Gonzalez, who was a perfect 8 of 8 on extra points.
The Wolves’ defense made another huge statement, holding Miller Grove (4-7) to minus-10 yards rushing and keeping the Wolverines on their side of the field for the entire game.
“I think they had one good run, and after that our kids clamped down and really caused them some loss-yardage situations, and we got them behind the sticks,” Reid said.
On offense, starting quarterback Knox Kadum executed offensive coordinator Chris Boden’s game plan and watched as his teammates sliced their way through the opponent’s defense.
“We came out with a plan, and that was to move the ball and come out fast,” Kadum said. “They were slow lining up and we just attacked them and came at them.”
Rome junior running back Jalynn Sykes scored first with a 5-yard run, followed by Kadum (24 yards), Jordan Watkins (34 yards) and Xavier Roberts (12 yards) to complete the first quarter scoring.
“(Boden) did a great job as far as offensive preparedness,” Reid said. “Sometimes it’s hard for me because I’m over here working on defense on the screen, and I turn around and we’re scoring.”
Marquez Kirby ran for a 16-yard TD to end Rome’s second possession of the second quarter, and Nick Burge scampered 5 yards into the end zone with 22 seconds left in the first half.
Nius Morton led all rushers with 101 yards on eight carries as he came in near the end of the first half and scored a touchdown on a 27-yard run that capped off a 12-play, 83-yard drive to start the third quarter.
“We played two’s and three’s the whole second half and they drove down against a varsity defense and scored,” Reid said. “That’s good for our kids because they all work hard in practice and they want to play too.”
Rome will be back at Barron Stadium this week to host Bainbridge, the No. 2 seed out of Region 1-5A, after the Bearcats defeated Whitewater 50-12 on Friday.