Ringgold continues turnaround season, routs Yough behind strong running of Ward

By: Adam Brewer
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 11:55 PM

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There have been some hard times for the Ringgold football team over the past couple of years.

In 2024, the Rams offense managed only 112 points in nine games.

Fast-forward to this fall, and things are changing for Ringgold.

The Rams dominated play Friday night and surpassed last season’s points total after a 40-0 victory over Yough in a nonconference game at Joe Montana Stadium.

Through three games, Ringgold (2-1) has scored 122 points and, with the Week 2 triumph, has matched last year’s win total.

What has been the difference on offense? It is a simple answer.

“Running game,” Ringgold coach Rob Heller said. “That has carried us so far this season, and that has been the biggest difference with our offense from last season. We have switched some things up over the last couple of weeks and have been more dedicated to the run game.”

The focal point of the offense for the Rams has been senior running back Amoni Ward, who tallied 240 yards on 12 carries with four touchdowns.

“My team, my line has been amazing for me this season,” Ward said. “We have all put in the work, and it has shown a lot these first three weeks of the season. The holes were big tonight for me, and I just used my speed once I got into the secondary.”

For the second straight season, the Cougars (2-1) started with two wins before a Week 2 loss to Ringgold. Yough lost last year 21-19, and the win ended a WPIAL-high, 25-game losing streak for the Rams.

“We struggled on offense tonight,” Yough coach Ben Hoffer said. “We could not get our running game going, and we couldn’t hit any big pass plays. When we couldn’t stop their running back and fell behind, it was hard to catch up against them. Ringgold is a talented team.”

On the first play from scrimmage, Ward raced down the far sideline then cut back for a 73-yard scoring run.

The Rams doubled their lead to 12-0 two plays later on a defensive touchdown, as a backward pass resulted in a scoop-and-score by Ashton Mincin.

After both teams exchanged scoreless possessions going into the second quarter, Ward sprinted for a 71-yard touchdown. Ward then added the 2-point run to stretch the home team’s lead to 20-0 with 10 minutes, 58 seconds left in the second quarter, as the senior amassed 167 yards on just six carries in the first half.

“On both of those two long, touchdown runs I just saw open grass,” Ward said. “The line executed the play, and it was open. It is so fun to be back at the running back position, and I love being a running back.”

The Cougars took nearly seven minutes off the clock on their next drive, aided by a couple of penalties against the home team plus a 22-yard completion to Ryan Sarver from Aidan Shaffer. But the drive stalled at the 26-yard line after an incomplete pass on fourth down.

“Not getting any points on that drive killed us,” Hoffer said. “That was a big momentum shift. Who knows? If we execute late on that drive and get a touchdown, it could have been a different game. But, honestly, their running back was a beast tonight, and nobody was going to stop him.”

Just before halftime, the Rams added to their lead when quarterback Dennis Hawkins found Demetri Lowe in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard score. The drive was kick-started by a 25-yard screen pass from Hawkins to Ward, plus a 24-yard scramble by Hawkins, who transferred from Monessen.

Ringgold led Yough, 27-0, at halftime and outgained the Cougars, 230-64.

After the Cougars turned the ball over on downs at the 29-yard line to open the second half, the Rams needed just three plays to get to paydirt. Ward finished the short drive with a 13-yard touchdown run.

Ward was at it again on the Rams’ next drive, capping a six-play, 47-yard drive with a 15-yard rushing score. Coming into the game, Ward had run for 282 yards.

“Amoni is a special back,” Heller said. “He should have had 400 yards tonight, but a couple of his long runs were called back on penalties. He is a stud, and he is such a strong runner. Last year he got thrown into the fire and played quarterback for us. Now, he is in his natural position, and his vision jumps off the film.”

With the mercy rule in effect in the waning minutes of the third quarter, the fourth quarter started and then quickly ended as lightning strikes were seen in the surrounding area. After a brief discussion with both coaching staffs, the officials called the game.

The Cougars gained only 97 yards on offense, highlighted by the strong rushing performance by Johnny Gergely, who finished with 63 yards on 23 carries. Sarver ended his night with four catches for 28 yards.

“Johnny is tough, and he is only a sophomore” Hoffer said. “He runs behind his pads and is a hard kid to bring down. I liked our performance in the first two weeks of the season, and this one is hard to swallow. But you got to bounce back up and move forward. Everyone faces adversity, and how you deal with it shows a lot about your character.”

Both teams will continue nonconference play next Friday: Ringgold travels to Greensburg Salem, and Yough travels to New Castle.

Tags: Ringgold, Yough