MICDS Uses Balance to Beat Nemesis Jefferson City Helias

Probably no person alive is happier than University of Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel. MICDS' two-way star Michael Scherer, a burly 230 pound fullback/linebacker has pledged his allegiance to the Tigers.

That is after Alabama and USC made offers to let him play “H” back (halfback) according to his dad and assistant coach, Joe Scherer.

In addition to making crushing tackles on Jefferson City Helias quarterback Aaron Vossen and hauling in an interception of the QB, Scherer made the play of the game from the line of scrimmage.

Midway through the third quarter, the Rams were clinging to a slim 25-20 lead. Momentum was shifting west to the capitol city Crusaders.

On a crucial third-and-two from the Rams own 26, Scherer got a handoff, sidestepped a rusher and found himself in the secondary and bolted 74 yards for the game-determining touchdown.

“I was just thinking two (yards), but I’m sure glad I ran for 74 (and a TD). The blocking was just there. Joe Goley and A.J. Washington were doing some great blocking. Our line just opened it up right there. It takes a total 11-man effort to get it done,” said Scherer, one of the captains of the 4-0 Rams.

It was midway through the second quarter to midway through the third when the Rams were most on top of their game. At one stretch, they scored 25 unanswered points until Helias finally netted a third-quarter field goal.

The Rams are getting it done indeed. They came into the game ranked fourth in the state in Class 4; the Crusaders are sixth.

“I’ve played them (Helias three times now) and this was the first time we had beaten them,” said Scherer.

A very opportunistic ball-hogging defense intercepted Vossen five times. Picking off balls downfield were defenders Foster Bundy twice, Joe Goley, and Scherer, who had a pick and a fumble recovery for good measure.

This was a good day on offense for the Rams. They rushed 50 times for 249 yards and three TDs. Scherer rumbled 23 times for 184 yards and two scores. A.J. Washington rushed 17 times for 75 yards.

Quarterback Thomas Militello was 13-for-19 passing for 113 yards and two TDs. His prime receivers were Jack Howell (three receptions for 46 yards), Clayton Buddemeyer (three for 25 yards), Foster Bundy (three for 13 yards) and Mac Cornwell (two for 18 yards).

Helias was coached much like a professional team. The Crusaders scored just six second-half points, on field goals from Anthony Woodruff from 20 and 37 yards out. The first field goal cut the lead to 25-17, then they inched closer to 25-20. Scherer’s 74-yard scamper with 6:44 left in the game broke it open.

Senior tackle Todd Hearns made life miserable for the Crusaders offense. Time and again he was in the backfield, spilling running backs and the quarterback. “Both our offense and defense played well. We just did our job. That’s all I can say,” Hearnes said.

Defensively, Scherer led the way with nine tackles. Linebacker Colin Palmer had seven tackles, Hearns had six and Christian Catsavis also added six.

A cause for concern was Scherer’s pulled muscle late in the game. By the time he reached the home locker room, he was hobbling noticeably.

Next up, the 4-0 Rams visit 0-4 Principia Saturday at 1 p.m.