FeatureDevilsVSRams

The Bitter Backyard Rivals
Devils VS Rams

    To anyone who has grown up in McDoanld or Mineral Ridge, that team that you are taught to dislike, perhaps maybe I should use the unkind word of hate, is the neighboring school on the other side of Carver-Niles Road. Even many ICL and Mahoning Valley fans are aware of the intense rivalry between these two schools. Some may even compare it to the classic distaste between schools like Ohio State and Michigan or the Steelers and Browns. However, with both schools having strong teams this year it should set up one of the classic battles between these two backyard foes.
     Ironically, the Rams head coach Joe Stevens is a 1990 McDonald graduate, which makes this sort of a homecoming for Stevens. Does that make the game harder for Steven? "Not really. I have been part of the Mineral Ridge system for 15 years and have developed a strong sense of RAM pride. I now bleed orange and black," Stevens remarked. But no matter, this game will be a game of personal interest to Stevens.
     In the two years that Stevens coached at Ridge previously, he went 1-1 against his former school. In 2001 the Devils lost a close 17-0 contest at AA Burkey Stadium in McDonald. In his second year at the helm, the Rams won a convincing 24-7 game in Mineral Ridge.

Coach Dan Williams on the other hand grew up in McDonald, graduated from McDonald, and some even say that he has McDonald blue blood running through his veins. (Perhaps there is a little scarlett and grey in there too.) Williams is all too familiar with the long-time rivalry between these two schools as he played against the Rams a few times as a student when he donned the helmet and shoulder pads.

Last year the Blue Devils won on a wet humid night in McDonald 25-0 as Nick Cupan lead the way with 150 yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown. Alex Sampson also added another 122 yards and another touchdown, while the Devils only threw three passes on the night. The Rams offense was bogged down all night as Kyle Skiba lead the Rams with 63 yards rushing and Daniel Skiba was 0 of 7 passing with one interception. This year, Cupan will return for the Devils, however both of those Skiba brothers will bring back those disappointing memories of last year with them when they play Friday night.

    Both the Devils and Rams have tasted success this year as McDonald has beaten old ICL rival Springfield 29-20, and old familiar foe Windham 42-6. In the process, Cupan has lead the Devils in rushing with 221 yards rushing on 27 carries, and six touchdown. That comes out to an incredible 8.1 yards per carry. He has also added a touchdown on special teams to his total.
     The Rams started the season with a disappointing loss to state power Mogadore 28-21 after they had a short lead of 21-14, before the Wildcats made a fourth quarter rally. However last week the Rams beat a very good LaBrae team 20-7 despite the Rams only accumulating 170 yards of total offense. "Coming off a big win against LaBrae, playing our long time rivals for our home opener builds this game," Stevens commented.
     One thing for sure is that these two bitter rivals will play with a lot of heart and emotion as both look for Trumbull County bragging rights. The winner will also be sky high with momentum as they enter league play next week. Recently, the home team has won the past four games, and in the past ten years the series is deadlocked at 5-5. The Rams recently had a four game winning streak in the series from 2002-2005, however the Devils have also had two four game winning streaks in recent history with wins in 1991-1994 and again in 1986-1989. No matter who wins this huge contest, it should provide ITCL fans with another great game, and a lot of tremendous memories.

-pictures courtesy of Weathersfield schools web site

Photos Courtesy of The Vindicator