Crest runs past Hartford at home

Crest's backfield fired on all cylinders when they ran past Hartford Friday, 66-20. The Lancers were led by Denton Ramsey's team-high four touchdowns as Crest finished off Hartford with a mercy-rule at halftime.

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September 25, 2023 - 3:37 PM

Crest’s Rogan Weir, right, carries the football while Jensen Barker, left, blocks in a game earlier this season against Oswego. Photo by Maria Rodriguez

COLONY — The Crest High football team used their ground game to take down Hartford at home Friday, 66-20. 

In Ryan Golden’s first game back from injury this season, the Lancer had two interceptions for Crest’s defense. Golden’s interceptions came in each quarter and set up the Lancers for touchdowns on both drives.

“It’s huge to have (Ryan) Golden back. He’s versatile and can move around and play different spots,” Crest head coach Nick McAnulty said. 

Denton Ramsey had a team-high four touchdowns, three of them from running the ball. The longest was for 65 yards and gave Crest a 66-12 advantage at the end of the second quarter.

Gentry McGhee got the scoring started for Crest early on when he brought in a 22-yard touchdown catch for the 8-0 lead.

Ramsey then took the ball on a reverse for a 25-yard touchdown and a 16-0 lead.

Shortly after, McGhee stepped up with an interception of his own at the 35-yard line. He returned it to the 25 where he caught a 25-yard touchdown pass to put the Lancers ahead, 22-0.

Ramsey’s pick-six made it a 28-0 game before Hartford answered with their first touchdown on a one-yard rush to cut Crest’s lead to 34-6. 

Golden’s first interception came at the end of the first quarter at the Hartford 27-yard line before he hit Jerry Rodriguez for a 14-yard touchdown pass and the 40-6 lead. 

Kade Nilges ran in a three-yard score on the right side for a 48-6 lead. 

“We have so many guys that can run and that’s huge. Normally in the past, we’ve averaged 10 yards per carry, and that’s huge. It keeps you unpredictable, and it leaves you in a place where you can run the ball at any time,” McAnulty said. “Normally it’s Jensen Barker who gets those goal-line carries, but we like to spread the ball around.”

Drake Weir then sacked Hartford on a fake punt attempt which ended up in a Nilges’ five-yard touchdown run for the 54-6 advantage. Hartford struck again for a 35-yard touchdown pass to bring Crest’s edge to 54-12. 

Rogan Weir then rushed in from 42 yards out to give Crest the 60-12 lead. 

Golden then came up with his second interception of the game, a one-handed grab at Crest’s 15-yard line. Ramsey then went 65 yards to the end zone for a 66-12 lead with little time left in the first half. 

The Jaguars completed a final passing touchdown to bring Crest’s lead to 66-20 at the end of the game.  

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