RamPage

An unofficial archive of Strasburg sports.

Tag: Page County

  • Strasburg Football Coach Reaches 300 Wins with Victory Over Page County

    Strasburg Football Coach Reaches 300 Wins with Victory Over Page County

    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.

  • Rams De-claw Panthers, 39-13

    Rams De-claw Panthers, 39-13

    Strasburg Bounces Back with Convincing Win

    SHENANDOAH, VA – Strasburg (3-1, 0-0 Bull Run) bounced back from a loss to Handley with a convincing 39-13 victory over Page County (1-3). Despite playing their second game in four days, the Rams dominated, much like their previous victories, by establishing an early lead.

    The scoring began midway through the first quarter when freshman Josh Kibler, leading the team in touchdowns, capped a 39-yard drive with an 11-yard run. Page County responded on the first play of the second quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Wesley Meadows to running back Dustin Lucas, briefly taking a 7-6 lead.

    Strasburg quickly regained the advantage. Parker Neal connected with Cory Spiker for a 41-yard touchdown pass, his second of the season, putting the Rams ahead 12-7. Brian Blevins extended the lead with a three-yard touchdown run. Blevins finished the game with 85 yards on 15 carries (5.67 yards per carry). Neal’s two-point conversion pass to Justin Baker made the score 20-7. Minutes later, Baker added another touchdown to his tally.

    With 34 seconds remaining in the half, Strasburg forced Page County to punt from their own 21-yard line. Max Gardner blocked the punt, and Baker recovered it in the end zone for his first career touchdown.

    The second half saw continued dominance from the Rams’ defense. They held Page County to 88 rushing yards on 32 carries (2.75 yards per carry), effectively limiting their ground game. While the pass defense allowed 97 yards on nine completions, it was a significant improvement compared to the 195 yards surrendered to Handley earlier in the week.

    The only score in the third quarter came from Caylin Valentine, who rushed for a five-yard touchdown to extend Strasburg’s lead to 26 points. Kibler added his second touchdown in the fourth quarter, an eight-yard run. He finished the game as the Rams’ leading rusher with 97 yards on 19 attempts (5.11 yards per carry) and also caught one pass for 38 yards.

    Page County added a late touchdown against Strasburg’s backup defense.

    The Rams amassed 279 rushing yards on 51 carries (5.47 yards per carry) with seven different backs contributing. Neal completed 3 of 8 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown.

  • Football: 2004 Page County Game Notes

    Football: 2004 Page County Game Notes

    Rams Face Quick Turnaround Against Page

    After losing Monday’s rescheduled game versus Handley, Strasburg (2-1, 0-0 Bull Run) has had only three days to prepare for an away matchup against Page County. The Panthers are 1-1 on the season; defeating James River earlier in the year and then getting torched 55-0 by Manassas Park last Thursday. A refreshed and regrouped Page will be vying for their second straight win over the Rams after a 38-35 last minute victory during the 2003 season.

    Coach: Barry Pangle (4th year, 7-25-0).

    Mascot: Panthers.

    Enrollment: 676.

    Classification: Group A, Division 1, Region B.

    2003 Record: 1-9.

    Current Record: 1-1.

    Points Scored: 21.

    Points Against: 75.

    Offense: Double Wing.

    Defense: 4-4.

    Key Returnees: QB Wesley Meadows.

    Key Losses: RB Rusty Breeden, WR Brandon Comer, FB Josh Turner.

    Quick Hits: Page County’s only win of the 2003 season came against Strasburg. It was their first against the Rams since 1994. … Young guns: Though only freshman, running backs Josh Kibler and Tim Rodriques have already made big marks on the team. The dynamic duo lead the team in scoring, with 18 and 12 points apiece in three games. Verses Handley, Rodriques has a break out game, rushing for 95 on six carries and catching one pass for 19 yards.

  • Rams Drop Heart-Breaker to Page, 38-35

    Rams Drop Heart-Breaker to Page, 38-35

    High-Scoring Affair Ends in Heartbreak for Strasburg

    STRASBURG, VA – Moral victory, growing pains, or a temporary setback, would all be choice euphemisms to describe Strasburg’s (1-3, 0-0 Bull Run) last-minute loss to Page County (1-2). But the easiest and most truthful way to describe it is simple defeat. The Panthers used a punishing ground game – coupled with a passing attack that the Rams were unable to contain – to pull out 38-35 upset at Ram Stadium.

    The game was a fast-paced affair from the start. Neither team found much success on their initial drives, both punting away. However, the ensuing offensive explosion saw a combined 613 total yards and 73 points, while both teams also committed six turnovers.

    Page County struck first. On their second possession, sophomore quarterback Wesley Meadows connected with running back T.T. Smelser for a 63-yard touchdown pass.

    Strasburg responded with a defensive score. Backed up deep in their own territory, Meadows threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted by cornerback Randy Gossard, who returned it 15 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

    Page County then added 10 unanswered points in the second quarter with a 25-yard field goal and a 71-yard interception return by Josh Turner.

    Strasburg needed a spark to overcome the 17-7 halftime deficit. That spark came from senior running back Aaron Barnes. Receiving the kickoff at the 15-yard line, Barnes burst through the line and raced down the sideline for a touchdown.

    However, Page County quickly responded with another touchdown pass to Smelser, extending their lead to 24-14.

    Two big plays then put Strasburg ahead. A fumble recovery by the Rams at the 5-yard line set up a quarterback sneak for Parker Neal’s first career touchdown.

    On their next possession, Barnes broke loose again, this time for a 75-yard touchdown run. Alex Lynch’s two-point conversion gave Strasburg a 35-31 lead.

    Page County regained the lead with a short drive capped by a Meadows touchdown pass.

    Strasburg then drove 63 yards on the ground, culminating in Barnes’ second rushing touchdown.

    However, with just over a minute remaining, Page County faced a fourth-and-10 at the Strasburg 30-yard line. Coach Barry Pangle made the decision to throw the ball. Meadows’ pass across the field was contested, but senior receiver Brandon Comer made a spectacular leaping catch for the game-winning touchdown.

    Winchester Star: Panthers Outlast Strasburg

  • Football: 2003 Page County Preview

    Football: 2003 Page County Preview

    Strasburg Rams Face Wet Conditions and Winless Page County

    Hurricane Isabel, now a tropical storm, pounded the area overnight, dropping up to six inches of rain and forcing Strasburg to postpone its third game of the year to Saturday evening. But this one-day reprieve could be short-lived.

    An even bigger worry for the Rams is their recent performance. No Strasburg team (1-2, 0-0 Bull Run) in the past two decades has had a losing record, let alone lost back-to-back games. A hard-fought loss to county rival Stonewall Jackson now seems like a minor setback compared to the 53-0 drubbing they suffered last weekend at Handley.

    The Rams, along with their loyal fans, must now regroup and prepare to face winless opponent Page County (0-2).

    The Panthers have historically posed little challenge to Strasburg. The average score of the past seven meetings has been 32-11 in favor of the Rams. However, this year could be different.

    Page, though winless, has been competitive in both of its games. Against James River, the Panthers lost by a mere eleven points, a significant improvement over their usual blowouts. Last weekend on a wet field, Page went head-to-head with second-ranked (VirginiaPreps.com poll) Manassas Park. The Panthers kept the Cougars’ high-powered offense in check, holding them to just 19 points.

    Because head coach Barry Pangle’s squad lost two prominent players out of the backfield, their offense might struggle.

    Quarterback Brennan Comer and running back Adam Pettit graduated, and together they accounted for 116 of Page County’s 231 total yards in last year’s meeting.

    Panther’s halfback Rusty Breeden is returning. The 5-foot-5, 145-pound senior rushed for 51 yards on 13 carries (3.92 avg.) against Strasburg in 2002.

    Blocking for him is fullback Josh Turner (5-5, 167). Turner, a senior, was a former offensive guard before being converted to fullback last season. Another viable weapon for the Panthers is tight-end Brandon Comer. Standing at 5-foot-10, Comer provides a passing threat in a mostly ground-oriented double-wing offense.

    Page’s defense should look familiar to Strasburg. Both teams run the 4-4 – four linebackers with four down linemen – as their base formation.

    Breeden, Comer, and Turner are all key two-way players. Breeden starts at cornerback, while Comer lines up at outside linebacker. Turner also plays outside linebacker. Returning senior offensive lineman Chad Merica (5-8, 252) doubles as a defensive tackle. So far this year the Panther’s defense has yielded 54 points in two games, a 27 points-per-game average.

  • Rams Run Over Panthers, 40-0

    Rams Run Over Panthers, 40-0

    Strasburg Dominates All Phases, Cruises Past Page County

    SHENANDOAH, VA – Strasburg (3-1) cruised to an impressive 40-0 non-district victory over the Page County Panthers (0-4). The Rams dominated on the ground, utilizing seven different rushers to accumulate 289 total yards on 40 carries (7.22 yards per carry). This powerful rushing attack produced five touchdowns, with four different players finding pay dirt.

    Both teams struggled with ball security early in the game. Several early fumbles and a botched punt gave the Rams excellent field position, allowing them to capitalize.

    Senior Sam Robinson scored the first touchdown from the three-yard line. Jason Wilkins followed with a one-yard touchdown run, giving Strasburg a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Rams added two more scores in the second quarter to take a commanding 26-0 lead into halftime.

    Strasburg showcased its versatility on their opening drive of the second half. After effectively mixing passing and rushing plays, quarterback Cody Miller connected with a wide-open Robbie Starkey on a 26-yard touchdown pass.

    Miller completed 7-of-11 passes for 100 yards. Starkey, a senior wide receiver, caught three passes for 52 yards. With the score at 33-0, the Rams began to substitute liberally, allowing the Panthers to move the ball down the field. However, the Strasburg defense held strong at the goal line, preventing the Panthers from scoring.

    Second-string running back Aaron Barnes capped the Rams’ scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run, showcasing his impressive agility and elusiveness. Barnes led all rushers with 127 yards on just eight carries.

  • Football: 2002 Page County Preview

    Football: 2002 Page County Preview

    Rams Look to Bounce Back Against Struggling Panthers

    The Strasburg Rams (2-1) aim to regain their footing after a disappointing loss to Handley last week when they travel to face the winless Page County Panthers (0-3) on Friday night.

    The 28-14 defeat to the Judges cost the Rams valuable VHSL Power Points. While a victory over the Panthers won’t yield as many points, it could provide the much-needed momentum Strasburg needs before entering district play.

    Since 1999, Page County has struggled, compiling a dismal 7-23 record. This season has shown no signs of a turnaround. Outscored 105-26 in three losses, the Panthers will rely on their fleet of tailbacks and a bit of luck to secure their first win.

    Senior quarterback Brennan Comer will lead the Panthers for the second consecutive year. The 6-foot, 150-pound signal-caller faced significant pressure from the Strasburg defense last year, which reflected in his game statistics. He completed only 3-of-10 passes for 16 yards and was intercepted once by safety Jason Gutierrez. However, Comer demonstrated effectiveness in an August 30th loss to Clarke County, passing for 182 yards on 11-of-24 attempts.

    The Panthers’ primary offensive formation is the ground-controlling Wing T. Last season against the Rams, Page County utilized eight different backs but managed only 88 total rushing yards on 38 carries (2.31 yards per carry). The Rams’ senior-laden defensive line will aim to contain the rushing attack once again.

    Senior wingbacks Keith Shifflett (5-8, 192) and Adam Pettit (5-11, 175) return to the backfield. Both possess the size and power to break tackles and the speed to reach the end zone. The graduation of fullback Zach Gray likely means junior James Burker (5-10, 135) will fill the vacant spot.

    Page County Panthers: Official Site