STRASBURG, VA – Friday night at Ram Stadium saw a celebration beyond the final whistle. While players from both teams shook hands, the stands remained packed, awaiting a special moment.
Head Coach Glenn Proctor, after a brief exchange with Page County (1-2) coach Frank Comer, walked towards the home sideline. His players, who had just defeated the Panthers 30-13, knelt behind him. Before him stood family, friends, and the Strasburg cheerleaders, unveiling a banner that read “300” in large letters.
Coach Proctor received two footballs from Principal Mike Dorman to commemorate his 300th career victory – one signed by current players and another destined for the school’s trophy case. He spoke briefly, then led his team to the locker room.
Earlier in the evening, the Rams secured their fourth consecutive win, though it wasn’t easy initially. Proctor’s influence was evident throughout the game, from the powerful rushing attack featuring a rotation of halfbacks to the hard-hitting defense that bent but never broke.
Strasburg’s (4-0, 0-0 Bull Run) initial drive stalled, as placekicker Phil Ramsey’s 40-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. However, their second possession yielded results.
After ten rushing attempts covering 69 yards, sophomore quarterback Kaleb McKelvey connected with Justin Shaw for a nine-yard touchdown pass. It was McKelvey’s third passing touchdown of the season and Shaw’s first receiving score. Ramsey’s extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.
Strasburg extended their lead late in the second quarter when Ramsey finally split the uprights with a 28-yard field goal, giving the home team a 9-0 advantage with only six seconds remaining in the half.
The lead was cut to two points early in the third quarter after Page County scored on their opening possession. Allen Cloude’s 22-yard touchdown run capped the drive, leaving 9:24 on the clock.
Any momentum gained by the Panthers was short-lived. Following the kickoff, Strasburg’s offense started at their 28-yard line. On the very next play, senior running back Michael Prince exploded for a 72-yard touchdown run, breaking through the heart of the Page County defense.
Strasburg effectively sealed the victory with their subsequent scoring drive. The 12-play, 73-yard drive culminated in Josh Kibler’s eighth rushing touchdown of the season, this time from 12 yards out. Kibler added another score late in the fourth quarter after the Panthers mounted a late charge. Kibler finished with 19 carries for 146 yards and two receptions for 37 yards.
Prince, who has been a standout in the past two weeks, amassed 116 yards on just seven carries (16.6 yards per carry average). Fellow running back Colin Barnes contributed ten carries for 72 yards (7.2 yards per carry average). Strasburg dominated offensively, racking up a season-high 430 total yards, 384 of which came on the ground.