ROSS TWP., Ohio – After battling one of the area’s toughest early-season schedules, Ross delivered its biggest win of the season Friday night.
The Rams controlled the football and came up with a huge defensive stand late to knock off previously unbeaten #23 Talawanda, 14-7.
Ross (2-4) entered having lost three straight and four of five, but its four losses came against Wyoming, Northwest, Wilmington and Harrison, teams that were a combined 17-3 entering Week 6.
Talawanda (5-1) arrived as one of six remaining unbeaten teams in the Blitz 5 Top 25. The Brave had outscored opponents 197-12 and posted three consecutive shutouts.
Talawanda struck first on Brody Abney’s 5-yard touchdown run, but Ross senior Parker Jackson answered with a 5-yard score before halftime.
Jackson struck again from a yard out with 4:19 remaining in the third quarter to give Ross a 14-7 lead. The senior had been limited by a hamstring injury for much of the season but helped the Rams sustain the long drives that kept Talawanda’s offense off the field.
The Brave threatened to tie it late, driving inside the Ross 10. After a potential touchdown was ruled out of bounds and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed Talawanda backward, Ross senior Chase Vowell sacked quarterback Jake Van Gorden on fourth-and-goal from the 19.
Talawanda got one final opportunity, but Ross held on to hand the Brave their first loss.
Ross opens SWBL Southwestern Division play against Edgewood next week, while Talawanda travels to unbeaten Northwest.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
#23 Talawanda 7 0 0 0 – 7
Ross 0 7 7 0 – 14
SCORING SUMMARY
T– Brody Abney 5 run
R – Parker Jackson 5 run
R – Parker Jackson 1 run
Records: Ross 2-4; Talawanda 5-1.
UP NEXT: Ross vs. Edgewood; Talawanda at Northwest.
