Ronan outgains conference foe but mistakes hurt them

FLORENCE - The Chiefs played well enough to win, but mistakes hampered them in a 31-14 loss to Florence last Friday. The defense, which has been key to Ronan's success all season long, gave up just 178 yards of total offense to the Falcons but a series of miscues put Ronan in a 16-0 deficit in the first quarter and they couldn't quite battle back.

"We performed well on defense and offense," Ronan head coach Jim Benn said. "We just got ourselves in a big hole and didn't have enough time to get back out of it."

Senior running back Jack "The Ripper" Humphreys got a Ronan rally going in the second quarter, scoring from 23 yards out. After a Florence field goal, senior Marcus Hungerford scored from five yards out and Ronan trailed just 19-12 at halftime.

The Chiefs scored a safety in the third quarter to pull within five points, but Florence would score two touchdowns in the fourth to pull away.

"When we don't turn over the football we're a great team," Benn said. "We're still a pretty good football team when we turn it over too."

Ronan outgained Florence, picking up 356 yards of total offense, including 275 yards on the ground. Senior running back Jake Skelton continued to be the go-to guy for the Chiefs, rushing 30 times for 134 yards.

"He's done a nice job," Benn said of Skelton. "He's definitely a big piece of the puzzle. He gets great blocking up front and hits the hole hard."

Humphreys finished the game with 66 yards. Ronan's record fell to 6-2 overall and 2-1. They'll face Mission next week in St. Ignatius.

"They are very well coached and play extremely hard," Benn said. "They are coming in on a two-game winning streak and are playing at home on their senior night. We have to take care of the ball. Mission will run the ball effectively and has a very solid disciplined defense."

It will be the first time Mission and Ronan have squared off in quite some time and should be the start of a great valley rivalry.

"Our kids are friends with their kids so there's familiarity that way," Benn said. "They have some real good kids on their side of the ball."

FLORENCE 31, RONAN 14

Ronan - 0 - 12 - 2 - 0 - 14

Florence - 16 - 3 - 0 - 12 - 31

SCORING SUMMARY

Florence - Tanner Cobbs 75-yard kickoff return (Zach Newbary)

Florence - Cobbs 45-yard fumble return (Newbary kick)

Florence - Safety, ball carrier tackled in end zone

Ronan - Jack Humphreys 23-yard run (pass failed)

Florence - FG Newbary 27-yarder

Ronan - Marcus Hungerford 5-yard run (p[ass failed)

Ronan - S, blocked punt out of end zone

Florence - Cobbs 3-yard run (pass failed)

Florence - Riley Phillips 10-yard pass from Newbary (kick failed)