Bastrop steamrolls Richwood

Rueben Randle rushed for a score, returned a punt for another and threw three touchdown passes to Stanley Moore as Bastrop bested Richwood 40-12 Friday night at Ram Stadium.

In its first test of the season, the Rams (2-0) jumped out to an 18-0 first quarter lead.

“I thought we played much better than last week,” said Bastrop coach Brad Bradshaw.

With scouts from California, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Alabama looking on, the highly-recruited Randle did not disappoint. More importantly to the Rams, the converted wide appeared more at east at quarterback.

“I thought Rueben looked much better at quarterback than he did last week,” coach Bradshaw said. “I saw him flip his hips and do some things athletically that I didn’t see last week.”

Overall, Randle completed 10-of-22 passes for 169 yards.

“I was better prepared for this game,” said Randle, who continues to battle a nagging hamstring injury. “I was about 80 or 85 percent this week. I knew I had to have faith in my receivers. I knew if I kept throwing it, they would some plays for me.”

Early on, Bastrop (2-0) appeared to be on its way to a blowout victory. To its credit, Richwood (0-3) up put some resistance after a rocky start.

“We played a better football team tonight than we did last week,” coach Bradshaw said. “I don’t care what their record is, they are going to be heard from before the season is over. They came in here tonight with a good gameplan, definitely.”

“Number 2 (Richwood quarterback Greg Johnson) is a heck of a football player,” coach Bradshaw said. “Their defensive end (Rashad Givens) is a fantastic player. Their linebackers are good football players, too.”

Bastrop needed just 1:32 to get on the board after Rodney Heard returned the opening kickoff 38 yards to give the offense a short field at the Richwood 45.

Facing third-and-seven from the 42, Randle found Preston Coleman for 25 yards, moving the chains to the 17.

Taking off on a designed pass play, Randle picked up 12 yards and another first down at the 5, before shooting up the middle for the touchdown.

The PAT was blocked, but the B-Rams were up 6-0 with 10:28 to play in the first quarter.

Richwood went three plays and out on its next series. Josh Downs disrupted a first down running play for a loss of two and D’Andre Bradshaw stopped another rush for a gain of two. On third down, D.D. Jones’ pressure and Mikhail Garrett’s tight coverage forced an incomplete pass, bringing on the punting unit.

Players from both teams stood around and watched as Cedric Goins’ 19-yard punt rolled near midfield. Randle, however, had other ideas than watching the kick roll dead. Picking up the ball at the 50, Randle was off to the races.

“That was a case of a special athlete making a special play,” coach Bradshaw said. “Everybody kind of stood around and relaxed except for Rueben. You’re not going to get those plays very often.”

Bastrop’s try for 2 failed, leaving the score at 12-0 with 8:41 still to play in the opening frame.

Desmond Wilson’s ensuing kickoff skipped near the goal line, with Louis Fields hustling downfield to make the tackle at the 13.

Richwood picked up its initial first down of the night, before being forced to punt for the third consecutive time.

Taking over at the RIchwood 46, the B-Rams overcame a pair of sacks to go up 18-0.

On third-and-14 from the 16, a tightly-checked Moore hauled in the first of his three touchdown passes on the eighth play of the drive.

Following an exchange of punts, the R-Rams regrouped to get on the board.

Capping a four-play, 51-yard drive, quarterback Greg Johnson avoided a sack on third-and-seven from the 31, found a big opening on the left side of the field and headed for the endzone.

A botched snap on the extra point, left the score at 18-6 with 9:53 to play in the half.

“Richwood started believing they belonged on the field with us, which they did,” coach Bradshaw said. “Our conditioning just isn’t there yet, because of all the missed practices. We got tired. (Johnson) had a lot to do with that. He had us chasing him all night.”

Bastrop countered with a nine-play, 52-yard drive.

Heard’s 35-yard kickoff return enabled the B-Rams to start from their own 48.

Buying time on second-and-16, Randle connected with Moore for 16 yards and a first down at the Richwood 42.

Seven plays later, Randle found Moore, once again. Making the catch in full stride on a slant route, Moore had clear sailing on a 31-yard touchdown pass.

Heard caught the 2-point pass, stretching the margin to 26-6 midway through the second period.

“That was a big drive because we needed to answer (the Richwood touchdown),” coach Bradshaw said. “We talked about that on the sideline.”

Bastrop answered again on its second series of the second half.

Capitalizing on a short 7-yard punt, which was nearly blocked by D’Andre Bradshaw, the Rams took over at the Richwood 30.

On the first play of the series, Jevante Watson raced to the endzone on a sweep to the right side. Watson also tacked on the 2-point conversion, putting the Rams up 34-6.

Refusing to fold, Richwood drove 11 plays on 73 yards to get back on the board.

Facing fourth and 10 from the Bastrop 25, the R-Rams picked up the first down without running a play. Bastrop jumped off-sides twice, giving the visitors a first down at the 15.

Four plays later, Johnson flipped a 6-yard TD pass to Givens on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The elusive Johnson rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries.

“Johnson’s quick and hard to catch,” said Jones, a senior defensive tackle, who  recorded six tackles. “Richwood’s a pretty good team. It was a dogfight. I’m just glad we came out on top.

“I thought we played decent defensively, but we could have done better. Once we get everybody carrying out their assignments, everything will work out.”

Bastrop responded with a nine-play, 68-yard drive.

On third-and-six from the 16, Moore made a spectacular, diving, over-the-shoulder catch to wrap up the scoring with 6:54 to play.

Moore said he received some tips from former Parade All-American DeAngelo Benton.

“I’ve been looking for the ball too soon,” Moore said. “Instead of looking for the ball, D-Lo told me to keep running, wait for the ball to drop and then reach down and catch it.”

Moore finished the evening with six catches for 116 yards — both career highs.

“Rueben’s getting more faith in us as receivers and getting more confidence in himself,” Moore said.

While Randle and Moore led the offense, linebacker Trey Owens recorded a team-high eight tackles.

In one of the state’s premier Week 4 matchups, the Rams visit East St. John on Friday at Reserve.