Football: Rams place distinguished trio on Class 2A all-state squads

Staff Report

Greene County’s historic wave of success continues.

The Rams secured at least one all-state honoree for the fifth straight year last week, as announced in a joint effort by the Iowa Press Sportswriters Association and the Iowa Football Coaches Association.
Defensive back Richard Daugherty was named to the Class 2A first team while kicker Nathan Behne and offensive lineman Noah Cornell were selected to the second team. Daugherty was named to the first team for a second straight season, earning the prestigious distinction as a kick returner last fall.

The Rams produced an impressive 8-2 record in 2022, engineering a second consecutive, undefeated district title along the way thanks to a 5-0 league mark. Greene County has not lost a district game since the 2020 season, a string of 13 consecutive outings. The unit also notched at least one playoff victory for the fourth straight year.

Daugherty was an impressive two-way player for the Rams, securing a team-best four defensive interceptions (tied for 10th in 2A) to go with 43 total tackles, the fifth-best total on the team. The senior was also dynamic on offense, hauling in 16 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns at a 21.4 yards per catch clip. He was dangerous return threat as well, returning a kick-off 85-yards for a touchdown while compiling an average of 35.8 yards per return, the 13th-best average in the state.
Nathan Behne led all of Class 2A with seven made field goals, producing a successful percentage of 63.6 percent. He booted a long of 37 yards, which was tied for the sixth-longest in the state. The junior kicker connected on 33 extra points (12th) only missing one all season long. Behne’s 23 touchbacks on kick-offs were the third-most in the state.

The Rams tallied 1,783 rushing yards (19th in the state) and 18 touchdowns (23rd) thanks to the protection of Cornell and company on the offensive line. The Rams also threw for 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Defensively, Cornell recorded 13 total tackles.

Daugherty, Behne and Cornell were part of a historic two-year run, which included the first-ever district titles in Greene County High School history, as well as the first title for a Jefferson based school in nearly 15 years.

The Rams produced a mid-season six-game winning streak, which was highlighted by a 35-13 victory over Union Community in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. Greene County averaged 39.2 points per game during their winning streak.
The Rams were knocked from the Class 2A playoffs in the second round, falling 43-7 to West Lyon at home.