SALEM – They trailed by two touchdowns in the first half, but never gave up. Their diligence was rewarded with their first win of the season.
Salem came from 14 points down to take the lead, then denied Audubon a potential game-tying two-point conversion with 16.8 seconds left to preserve its first win of the season, 22-20 Saturday.
“They were able to have a little resolve and showed a little fortitude when it came to being down,” Rams coach Kemp Carr said. “That’s something in the past we haven’t been able to do real well.”
The Rams (1-2) took a 22-14 lead with 1:45 to play when Kyvion Parsons threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Ahmad Tucker and KyShann Long ran for the two-point conversion. Audubon moved the ball back downfield with the help of a couple broken plays and quarterback Jude Cotter found the end zone with 16.8 to go.
Facing either overtime or a win on one play, the Rams lined up to defend the two-point conversion. Cotter threw under pressure from Myshon Barnes and Cashmir Parsley intercepted the pass to turn the Green Wave (0-2) away.
“Everybody did their job, hit their keys,” Carr said. “The quarterback had to throw the ball because he was under duress and Cash just happened to be there to make the play. Being in the right place at the right time is always pivotal when it comes to this game and he was where he needed to be.”
There was still time for Audubon to pull off a last-second miracle, but Long recovered the onsides kick to effectively end the game.
Audubon scored its first two touchdown in short-field situations, one from the 1 when the Rams fanned on a punt against their goal line. But the Rams started their comeback after the second touchdown when Tucker returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to get them on the board and within a score at halftime.
“That gave us a little spruce right before the half,” Carr said. “It wasn’t in the driver’s seat, but not so removed from the game knowing you’re only a touchdown away from (being tied).”
Parsons, who started the game at quarterback, was back at the position in the third quarter and drew the Rams even with a 15-yard touchdown run on a broken play and Tucker made the conversion. It stayed that way until late the fourth quarter.
“I think he got more comfortable as the game went on,” Carr said. “It comes down to if you’re willing to play that position you have to have mindset. It’s easy to play when you’re a frontrunner as a quarterback. When you’ve got to come from behind and the pressure’s on, the lights are a little different. I think he was able to withstand the bright lights today.”