FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019
ALTOONA-MIDWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
OLPE – For the second week in a row, the Altoona-Midway Middle School football squad ran into a buzz-saw and simply could not get out of the way.
This week’s the menacing blade was provided by Olpe Middle School, as the Eagles carved up the Jets 54-0 here Thursday night in a game shortened to one half due to the mercy rule.
“Tonight was another rough game for us, as we battled the cold, wind, and a really good Olpe team,” said AMMS head coach Ron Rice. “Olpe came out ready to play and took the first kickoff 70 yards for a score and they didn’t look back. “Every time they touched the ball they scored. We just couldn’t get off the field on defense.”
Olpe rang up 24 points in the opening quarter and added 30 in the second stanza to win going away.
“Offensively, we had a good first drive that stalled at about the 15 yard line,” Rice noted. “But after that first drive, we were unable to get anything going.”
In fact, Olpe’s defense was so dominant that AMMS finished with negative 23 yards on the ground. The one bright spot on for the Jets was Damian Andrews, who came up with a big 47-yard pass reception and also finished with four tackles on defense.
“I asked Damian just on Wednesday to move from guard to fullback,” Rice noted. “He came up with a big reception and also ran hard when asked. He did a phenomenal job on short notice.
“Damian was a bright spot on defense as well,” Rice added. “He was all over the place trying to make plays, including coming from the opposite side of the field to make a touchdown-saving tackle about 40 yards downfield. It was a play most lineman wouldn’t be able to make.”
Rice said the Jets, 1-4, will need to show more fire and intensity as they prepare to close out the season next Thursday, at home against Oswego.
“We’ve had two disappointing games back-to-back,” Rice said, “but we look forward to playing hard and showing some grit to finish the season.”