WTMY AM 1280 -  "The Sports Fanatic": Rams take on National #1 Manatee tonight at the Ram Bowl

Rams take on National #1 Manatee tonight at the Ram Bowl
================================================================================
Phil Russell on 09/07/2012 09:03:00

Senior Cord Sandberg leads the USA Today #1 ranked Manatee Hurricanes into the
Ram Bowl for the historic rivalry with the RHS Rams.

Coming off of a competitive but ultimately dissapointing loss to 5-A #3 ranked
Palmetto Tigers 24-13 last week has taught the Rams a few lessons. The young
Rams outgained Palmetto through 4 qtrs and even knocked out starting QB Spencer
Atkins and RB Josh Hicks but in the end it was not enough as the Rams fell for
the second year in a row to a talented Tiger team that played even better with
their backups than with their starters. Did the Rams learn anything last week
they can take into this week against the vaunted Hurricanes? HC Todd Johnson
thinks so "I am extremly proud of our young men and the way the played last week
against a very good opponent. Our guys found out last week they can play with
anyone in this area."
Despite the confidence the Rams face a tall task in a Hurricanes team that is
coming off of a state championship in 7-A and who's only losses last year were
to National Champion Don Bosco Prep out of New Jersey and State Champion and
Nationally ranked Our Lady of Good Counsel of Olney Maryland. Both games were
decided by a touchdown or less. Senior Cord Sandberg who is committed to Dan
Mullen's Mississippi State Bulldogs, reminds many in this state of a certain #15
who played for the Florida Gators and is commonly refered to in the area as
"Baby Tebow" and is considered to be one of the top overall QB's in the nation.
Junior Qb Dom Marino and Sophmore Rb Karan Higdon will lead the attack for the
Rams after both last week having big games against Palmetto. Despite the 3
turnovers the RHS offense played very well and moved the ball with ease against
an Palmetto Tigers team that lost 8 starters on defense from last year's state
semi-finalist squad. Higdon carried the football 18 times for 108 yrds and 2 tds
and will be the key to the Rams keeping the dangerous Hurricane offense off the
field.