Week 2 Recap: Greene County extends rivalry shutout streak, captures fourth straight Cowbell win
By Brandon Hurley
Sports Editor
A resounding rivalry victory should do the trick.
Five first quarter touchdowns propelled Greene County to its third straight Cowbell shutout last, sending Perry to its 28th consecutive loss, 63-0 Sept. 3.
The Rams (1-1) picked up their first win of the year with a dominant performance in all facets, scoring quickly while stifling the Perry attack.
Greene County has held PHS scoreless in each of their last three meetings, a streak of 12 consecutive quarters, outscoring their rivals by 166 points, an average margin of victory by 55 points.
The Bluejays have managed to score just six points in the last four years combined, a dismal drought which now spans 128 minutes and 16 quarters of gameplay.
The Greene County defense earned a much-needed confidence boost, producing one of their most efficient outings in years.
The Rams smothered PHS for -16 total yards, bolstered by a shocking negative rushing total of -21. The defense also forced three turnovers, an interception each by Gallagher, Gabe Ebersole and Patrick Daugherty.
The blowout victory was of utmost importance following the Rams’ disappointing upset loss in week one. GCHS certainly showed little signs of a hangover Sept. 3.
The Rams needed just three plays and 74 seconds to initiate the week two onslaught, as Max Riley produced a methodical, winding touchdown reception, igniting the Greene County offense.
Greene County’s defense proved it was ready to play, forcing Perry to back-track 13 yards on their opening drive, setting up another Greene County scoring opportunity. The Rams scored on each of their first seven drives, helping build a 35-0 first quarter lead. GCHS notched touchdowns from Riley, Bryce Stalder, a pair from Nate Black as well as Patrick Daugherty in the opening frame.
The Rams’ passing offense was a thing of beauty, though lightly used, going a perfect seven-for-seven for 136 yards and three passing TDs. GCHS tallied 375 total yards and nine touchdowns, generating their highest single-game scoring output since hanging 68 on Saydel in 2018.
Greene County led 49-0 at half, scoring just a pair of touchdowns over the final two frames. Perry, on the flip side, has not scored a point yet this year, having been outscored 96-0 through two weeks. The shutout was the Bluejays’ 10th out of their last 11 games, continuing an historic drought.
Greene County quarterback Bryce Stalder was lights out again, carrying momentum from last week’s loss, throwing for 106 yards and two touchdowns on six-of-six passing while he also rushed for a score. The senior signal-caller has tallied seven total touchdowns in two games, tied for the fourth-best mark in Class 2A.
Black punched home a pair of touchdowns in a remarkably efficient night, piling up 74 yards on just three carries, producing a per carry average of 24.7 yards. As a team, the Rams compiled 239 yards on the ground, scoring six touchdowns.
Seven different Ram receivers caught passes in the win, with Trey Schilling, Riley and Brenner Gallagher each hauling in a touchdown pass.
Cody Allen led the team in tackles with five while Logan Higgins recorded Greene County’s lone sack.
Greene County has compiled 376 rushing yards in two games, which places them 15th in Class 2A. The Rams have also scored eight rushing touchdowns, tied for second-most in 2A. Stalder’s 414 total yards are 14th-most in the state
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