Colerain 28, Pickerington Central 15

The Colerain Cardinals used a pounding running attack and clutch defensive plays to defeat the Pickerington Central Tigers 28-15 at Nippert Stadium as part of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.

The Colerain (1-0) had four different players record rushing touchdowns and three of them carried the ball for at least 90 yards for the game. However, Pickerington Central (0-1) was up for the challenge as the Tigers ran for 294 yards compared to Colerain’s 368 on the ground.

Colerain quarterback Alfred “L.A.” Ramsby, who led the Cardinals in rushing with 120 yards on 17 carries, scored a 12-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the game.

Pickerington Central did Colerain one better on its ensuing drive. After running back Brent Walton scored on a 20-yard scoring run, the Tigers converted on a two-point conversion to take an 8-7 advantage.

In the second quarter and still ahead 8-7, a Pickerington Central drive stalled and the Tigers set up to punt on its own 28-yard line. Colerain junior DeTaun Smith-Moore shot the gap and blocked the punt. Teammate Darryll Reid recovered the loose ball which gave the Cardinals a short field with just over five minutes left until halftime.

Four plays later Jackson Sorn found pay dirt with a seven-yard touchdown gallop and Colerain recaptured the lead 14-8. Sorn finished the game with 17 carries and 94 yards rushing.

After Pickerington Central took a 15-14 lead in the third quarter, Colerain’s Chris Davis capped a 12-play drive with a rushing touchdown that gave Colerain a 21-15 lead.

Colerain put the game away in the fourth quarter when Smith-Moore scored on an 18-yard rushing touchdown with 3:44 left in the game.

Smith-Moore was named the player of the game with a sack and a quarterback pressure on defense, the blocked punt and 92 yards rushing on just seven carries.

VIDEO
-- Postgame: Tom Bolden, Colerain

-- Postgame: DeTuan Smith-Moore, Colerain

-- Postgame: Alfred “L.A” Ramsby, Colerain

Next week, Colerain crosses the Ohio River to play the Ryle Raiders in Union. Pickerington Central will try to even its record when it hosts Marion-Franklin.