What a difference a week can make.
The Lacombe Composite High School Rams had a bounce-back game Friday night in front of a raucous crowd at MEGlobal Athletic Park.
The Rams defeated the Stettler Wildcats by a score of 35-21 in their 2024 home opener. Lacombe was shut out 20-0 last week by Thurber to open up the season.
"We've had a couple of tough games offensively the last two weeks, exhibition and then last week with our first league game, but today the boys are making some good blocks up front," said Rams Head Coach Garner Kolybaba. "They gave Joe time to throw the ball. We've got some pretty good receivers, and they'll contort their bodies to make those catches. It was good all the way around when it comes to that passing game."
The Rams opened up the scoring with 2:07 remaining in the first quarter when Joe Lamoureux hit Lincon Dmetruik with a 35-yard touchdown pass to give Lacombe a 7-0 lead. Peter Groot Koerkamp would add the extra point.
Lamoureux threw his second touchdown of the night with 9:59 left in the second quarter finding Keydeth Saddleback for a 15-yard strike.
Lacombe went up 21-0 minutes later when Ayden Shaw ran it in from the one-yard line.
Dmetruik would haul in his second receiving touchdown of the night just before the half when Lamoureux found him for a 15-yard score to give the Rams a 28-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Rams defence did its job holding Stettler scoreless in the first half.
"They did great. They won us the game," commented Lamoureux.
"They've been a stalwart for us the whole season so far," exclaimed Kolybaba. "They've done really well. We've got some really strong leaders on there. It's a little easier to play defense than offense but I tell you they came out hard all the time."
Stettler would finally get on the board with 2:46 left in the third quarter when Slade Perry hit Evan Blanchard with a 31-yard touchdown pass on second down. Taylor Watt would add the extra point.
The Wildcats would make a game of it scoring another touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the third quarter. Perry threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Jacky to cut Lacombe's lead to 28-14.
The Rams would go up 35-14 early in the fourth when Dmetruik pulled in his third touchdown of the night. This time it was a 20-yard strike from Lamoureux.
Jacky pulled Stettler close late in the game with a 20-yard touchdown catch from Perry to make it 35-21.
Each team would turn the ball over in the final minute as Lacombe held on for the 35-21 win to even their record to 1-1.
Lamoureux finished the game passing 11 of 20 for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
"Joe did really well," commented Kolybaba. "He's so poised in there; he takes his time. He doesn't get flustered at all and if he has to run he will but he's pretty good at getting a nice ball up there for our receivers and they'll contort if they have to but a lot of the time he's hitting them in the hands right on the run."
Dmetruik caught six passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns for the Rams, while Mason Corbett ended the night with 61 yards rushing for the home side.
Stettler quarterback Slade Perry completed 10 of 21 passes for 188 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Lacombe will host Camrose next Thursday at MEGlobal Athletic Park starting at 7 p.m.
