Team

Mineral Ridge

Record	Div.	Conf.
6/4	Div. VII	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

Team

LaBrae

Record	Div.	Conf.
3/5	Div. V	All-American Conference Blue Tier

By John Bassetti

bassetti@vindy.com

MINERAL RIDGE

LaBrae held Mineral Ridge scoreless for three quarters, then the Rams put up 12 points in less than three minutes before losing, 21-12.

Andre Elkins scored twice on big plays and was the play-maker, otherwise, as the Vikings (1-1) notched their first victory.

“We gave one away last week, so we thought we were about to play a good game,” LaBrae coach Bill Bohren said. “We knew we had our hands full [with Ridge] because they did a lot with Campbell in what was a track meet.”

Mineral Ridge (0-2) didn’t have nearly the numbers it did against Campbell in a 42-28 loss, but the Rams still didn’t have a full complement of personnel, including senior quarterback Jesse Garland.

“I thought we’d be in good shape,” Ridge coach Joe Stevens said. “I just don’t feel we played to our potential. We are thin, with Garland out, and we get a couple guys [Ryan Porter and Nick Grabosky] who go down, so that’s a lot of bodies. Once we lose a couple we start scrambling for players.”

He said Garland should be ready to go next week.

Thin or not, Elkins would be a 48-minute headache for any team with his all-around contribution.

He senior receiver/cornerback caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Carrington Herron and ran 65 yards on a reverse for another and Bob Dragash made two PATs to put the Vikings up 14-0 with 1:14 remaining in the third quarter. Elkins also caught two passes for 57 yards, had an interception and made a crucial tackle on a Ridge conversion attempt.

“I saw him [Porter] coming around the corner so I just wanted to make sure I made the stop to ensure the victory,” the 6-2, 165 Elkins said of the play when Ridge was behind, 14-12, with 8:19 remaining.

“He’s a player,” Bohren said of Elkins. “He’s been real consistent. He’s our best receiver and, defensively, he’s a great cover corner.”

Herron is showing promise at quarterback.

“He’s starting to come around,” Bohren said. “He’s a big [6-1, 235], strong kid and it allows us to put Andrew Sekela outside as a receiver and back which helps us a lot.”

Sekela was quarterback last year, but is now utilized as a receiver and running back on offense and free safety on defense.

“We’re just happy for a win,” Bohren said.

Stevens wasn’t satisfied with a call made late in the game when LaBrae was ahead, 14-12.

On a keeper on 3rd-and-12 from his team’s own 40, Herron reached the Rams’ 48, but a holding penalty was called. After administration of the infraction, LaBrae had a first down at its 42.

The Vikings proceeded to score the insurance TD and extra point at 2:06.

“We’re looking into that,” Stevens said. “The referee told me that Herron got the first down, then they marked the penalty off from that. The penalty was a blatant hold, about 5 yards behind the end of the run.”