Sep 30, 2006 By Chuck Durso For The 4 min read

YORK RUN – The Albert Gallatin Colonials came into their contest with Ringgold last night hoping to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They were successful through most of the evening. What they couldn’t control was the big play. Ringgold used a long fumble return to establish a thin margin, and then broke the game open on a late long-distance rush, defeating AG 27-14 and dropping the Colonials from the ranks of the Keystone Conference unbeatens.

Albert Gallatin now stands at 2-1 in the conference, 2-3 overall, while the Rams picked up their first victory of the season in five attempts. Ringgold is now 1-2 in conference play.

Albert Gallatin outgained Ringgold by 85 yards, 331-246, but was forced to play from behind throughout much of the contest.

Albert Gallatin rushed for 233 yards, but Ringgold stuffed the Colonials on a big 4th down play early in the final quarter in what proved to be the turning point.

With the game tied at 14, Ringgold took the lead on a 3 yard run by Kyle Fisher-Law with :37 remaining in the third quarter. However, a botched snap foiled the extra point attempt, leaving the margin at 6.

The Colonials responded by marching down the field. On their first play from scrimmage, Adam Morris rambled 32 yards to the Ringgold 33, and several plays later, AG was inside the 10, facing a 3rd and 2.

However, the Ram defense, pushed around most of the night, stiffened at just the right moment, stuffing Nelson Croushore on 3rd down for no gain, and then doing the same to QB Nate Turner on a 4th down option.

AG forced a quick Ram punt, but failed to move the ball on offense and punted back to Ringgold with under 5 minutes remaining.

Fisher-Law converted a key 3rd and 4 at the Ram 35 to run down the clock, but was injured on the play. The injury proved fortuitous for the Rams, though, when substitute Skyler Carter came in and raced down the right sideline 65 yards for the clinching score.

The loss was a frustrating one for the Colonials who dominated much of the action. After a series of early punts, AG began to take over late in the first stanza. A long Albert Gallatin drive that continued into the second quarter took the Colonials down to the Ram 24.

Then came perhaps the game’s biggest play. Morris fumbled at the 20, and Jake Spaziani snatched the ball out of air at the 19. Spaziani took off down the left sideline, with only Turner to beat. A nifty cutback at the AG 40 left Turner behind, and instead of taking the early lead, AG suddenly found themselves trailing, 7-0.

Albert Gallatin responded with a 13-play, 65-yard drive to knot the game. Most of the yardage came on the ground, and the Colonials converted a couple of 3rd and shorts and one 4th and one to keep the drive alive. Turner scored from 2 yards out, and the game was tied with just 2:42 left in the half.

Now it was Ringgold’s turn to respond. The Rams went to a spread offense, and smartly moved downfield with a 13-play drive of their own, covering 80 yards. Jordan Fowler entered the game at QB, replacing starter Fisher-Law, who moved to halfback. Fowler began hitting out patterns as AG’s corners were giving plenty of room late in the half. Carter caught a 17-yard pass, and Spaziani snatched a pair worth 20 yards along the way.

With 16 seconds remaining, the Rams had moved to the 1, and after using their final timeout, re-inserted Fisher-Law at quarterback. AG was expected run, but Fisher-Law instead faked the option, then stepped back and hit Tom Brletich in the end zone for the score to give Ringgold a 14-7 halftime lead.

Albert Gallatin was undaunted, though, driving downfield on the opening possession of the second half to once again even the contest. A 73-yard drive culminated with a Turner to Justin Swaney pass from the 14 to make the score 14-14.

AG could never get in front however, despite their statistical advantage. AG had a 22-14 edge in first downs as well as leading Ringgold in both rushing and passing yards.

Turner led the Colonials with 90 yards on the ground while completing 10 of 21 passes for another 98 yards. Morris added 73 yards on 11 carries.

Fisher-Law lad the Rams with 77 yards rushing, while Carter, thanks to his late, long run, added 76.

Albert Gallatin, still very much in the hunt for the Keystone Conference crown, will try to get back on the winning track next Friday night when they travel to Belle Vernon.