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Penalties, dropped passes, and sloppiness at times. It took the Rams’ offense two quarters before getting in a somewhat groove that led to a 24-0 victory nonleague over Black Hills at South Sound Stadium.
For a team that put up 36 points in three quarter in its 36-21 season-opening victory over Steilacoom, the Rams’ running game was silent for most of the first half. It wasn’t until Belisario’s 49-yard run inside 5 minutes left in the first half that set up a Mo Manning 1-yard touchdown two plays later, which gave the Rams a 10-0 lead at halftime.
From there, it was all about time of possession. The Rams (2-0) used the clock to its advantage and although its second touchdown – a 10-yard run by Belisario – didn’t come until 11:50 left in the fourth quarter, they held Black Hills to two possessions in the third. Belisario finished with 116 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Quarterback Ryan Mets completed 5 of 13 passes for 92 yards, and four of the completions went to Tru Hicks – all in the second half -- for 75 yards.
“We shot ourselves in the foot several times in the first half, but we’re improving each week,” Patchin said. “Offensivley, we did some positive things in the second half."
Despite trailing by 10 at halftime, Black Hills (1-1) was still in the game thanks to its big plays on defense. Through two quarters, it held Belisario and Mo Manning a combined nine runs of 5 yards of fewer.
But Black Hills had minus-72 team rushing yards on sacks and three bad snaps. Three bad snaps went over quarterback Miles Smiley’s head. The final one occurred at its own 20-yard line, as the ball sailed into the end zone for a safety -- and a minus-20-yard loss -- in the final minute of the third quarter that increased North Thurston’s lead to 12-0.
“It could’ve easily been 14-10 at halftime,” Black Hills coach Jack Zilla said, “and the whole nature of the second half changes.”
