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***updated 6-4-21***
8-20-21 at Boonville
8-27-21 at Corydon
9-3-21 vs. Springs Valley
9-10-21 at. Perry Central
9-17-21 vs. West Washington
9-24-21 vs. Eastern Greene
10-1-21 at. Crawford County
10-8-21 at. Mitchell
10-15-21 vs. North Knox
PAOLI Junior Trey Rominger was named to the 2022 IFCA 1st Team Junior All-State Team as a Linebacker
***GLESING NEW PAOLI FOOTBALL COACH***
PAOLI HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCED ON MATCH 21,2019 THAT BRIAN GLESING FORMER HEAD COACH AT FLOYD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND JEFFERSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WILL REPLACE JEREMY LOWERY AS PAOLI RAMS HEAD VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH STARTING WITH THE 2019 FOOTBALL EASON***
****CONGRATULATIONS PAOLI RAMS 2018 IHSAA SECTIONAL 39 CHAMPIONS!***
Paoli Rams Quarterback Ty Lawson was named to the Indiana North/South All-Star Football Team for the 2018 season
Paoli Senior Punter Tyler Smith was named to the Indiana AP 2A 1st team All State team as a punter for the 2017 season
Paoli Junior QB Ty Lawson, OL Michael Campbell and Ian Strange were named AP Class 2A All State Honorable Mesntion
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***LOWERY NAMED NEW PAOLI HEAD FOOTBALL COACH***
On 2-13-17 The Paoli School Board named Paoli Rams assistant coach Jeremy Lowery as it's next head varsity football coach... Lowery was the Offensive Coordinator during Paoli's run to the 2013 Semi-State before joining the Paoli Football staff he was an assistant coach at Salem for 10 years he played football at Western Kentucky and is a graduate of Penn high school...
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on December 5th, 2016 Brian Balsmeyer head coach put in his resignation as head football coach of the Paoli Rams it ended a 10 year run that resurrected the Paoli Rams Football program into one of 2A's best winning 2 regional championships in 2009 and 2013 Coach Balsmetyer has 2 twin daughters playing volleyball at Alabama A&M college and a desire to watch them play and spend more time with his family is the main reasons he resigned from his post
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****SINCE IT'S THE END OF THE FOOTBALL SEASON BE SURE TO CHECKOUT THE PAOLI RAMS BASKETBALL WEBSITE AT WWW.LEAGUELINEUP.COM/PAOLIBBALL
****TOLEN NAMED GRIDDY ALL-STATE****
Paoli Senior QB Garrett Tolen was named to the Small School All-State team (Class 1A-3A) at the annual Griddy Awards for Indiana High School Football on March 20th, 2016
Paoli Rams Senior Quarterback Garrett tolen and Senior Defensive Lineman Carter Chastain were named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Class 2A All-State team for the 2015 Football season
In Franklin's 80-19 win over Earlham College former Paoli standout Lee Wroblewski had 3 receiving touchdown's from 39 yards, 52 yards and 50 yard touchdown receptions and former Paoli player Tanner Kameda had a 32 yard touchdown run for the final touchdown for Franklijn
former Paoli football stars Lee Wroblewski and Tanner Wroblewski are the starting split ends for the 2015 Franklin Grizzlies college football team not to be outdone another former Paoli player Tanner Kameda is receiving significant playing time as a halfback for Franklin
***PAOLI RAMS COMPETE AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 7ON 7***
For The 5th straight season the Paoli Rams football team were invited to compete June 20th at the Indianapolis Colts 7 on 7 tournament in Indianapolis results are:
Evansville Mater DEi 31 Paoli 14
Rensselear Central 35 Paoli 21
Pioneer 31 Paoli 0
6A Brownsburg 45 Paoli 7
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Cloverdale
Mitchell
Monrovia
North Putnam
PAOLI
South Vermillion
Southmont
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week 1 Evansville Central
week 2 Corydon Central
week 3 Springs Valley
week 4 Perry Central
week 5 West Washington
week 6 Greenwood
week 7 Crawford County
week 8 Mitchell
week 9 Indianapolis Washingtton
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Paoli Rams Junior Quarterback Garrett Tolen was named Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention at Quarterback for the 2014 football season he was also named to the IFCA Class 2A 1st team Junior All-state as a Defensive Back for the 2014 season
Ruger Gill was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as an Offensive Lineman for the 2014 season
Nate Burton was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as a receiver for the 2014 football season
Luke Becht was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention at runningback for the 2014 football season
Daniel Hutcheson was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention at Linebacker for the 2014 football season
***PAOLI RANKED #7 In IFCA CLASS 2A PRESEASON POLL***
The Paoli Rams football team will start out the season ranked #7 in the 2014 IFCA Class 2A Football poll
IFCA Top 10 poll for 8-19-14:
1. Indianapolis Ritter
2. Lafayette Central Catholic
3. Evansville Mater Dei
Paoli Football competed at the Indianapolis Colts Tournament of Champions today (June 14, 2014) going 3-1. Won our pool and lost in first round of tournament. A good day of competing by the kids.
Team members competing in the 7 on 7 Tournament: Parker Gehl, Jared Crawford, Tyler Hooten, Michael Fullington, Luke Becht, Brett Balsmeyer, Garrett Tolen, Nate Burton, Todd Osborn, Garrett Vincent, Dawson Easterday, Tyler Smith, Dietrich Sears, Austin Moore, Ethan Bradshaw, Daniel Hutcheson, Chaz Becht
POOL PLAY
Paoli 27
Eastern Hancock 21 (2013 1A State Runner-up)
Paoli 17
Tri-Central 14 (2013 1A State Champion)
Paoli 24...
Evansville Memorial 21 (2008 and 2009 3A State Runner-up)
ROUND 1 OF TOURNAMENT
Paoli 17
Brownsburg 20 (2x State Champion)
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****2014 SEASON
WROBLEWSKI BROTHERS AND KAMEDA TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE
Paoli Senior Wide Receiver Tanner Wroblewski and senior runningback Tanner Kameda have signed to play college football for Franklin College and former Paoli Rams Quarterback Lee Wroblewski also signed to play for Franklin College starting in 2014 Tanner Wroblewski turned down numerous scholarship offers including as a prefered walk on at Purdue
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DID YOU KNOW?
Former Paoli Rams Football AND Basketball Standout Tim Eubank played college football at Tight End for Purdue University he was a two year starter at Tight End (1977-1978) and was voted Team Captain for the 1978 Football Season in which Purdue went 9-2 and won the Peach Bowl?
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****BROWNSTOWN BACK ON PAOLI FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR 2014****
The Paoli Rams Football team will bring back one of it's traditionally tough opponents as Brownstown will replace Salem on Paoli's 2014 football schedule The season opens up with Paoli playing Brownstown and then tragveling to 5A Evansville Central
PAOLI RAMS 2014 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
8-22-14 vs. Brownstown
8-29-14 at. Evansville Central
9-5-14 at. Springs Valley (Orange Bowl Game)
9-12-14 vs. Perry Central
9-19-14 at. West Washington
9-26-14 vs. Corydon
10-3-14 vs. Crawford County
10-10-14 vs. Mitchell
10-17-14 at. North Harrison
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****PAOLI RAMS MAKE SOUTH ALL-STAR FOOTBALL TEAM****
Paoli Rams Senior Wide Receiver Tanner Wroblewski was named to the Indiana North South All-Star Football team following the 2013 football season Tanner will be joined on the team by Head Coach Brian Balsmyer who will the the South teams Defensive Coordinator and water girls Hannah and Riley Balsmeyer
During the Griddy Awards on March 9th in Indianapolis The 2014 Jason Kuntz Badge of Courage Award was presented to Brett Balsmeyer This award was not only about overcoming adversity on the field of play, but more about the adversity he has overcome the last three years dealing with his mother's illness.
Monday, March 10
2014 Grange Insurance All-Star Football Classic
Friday, July 18, 2014 at North Central High School in Indianapolis. 7:00 pm kickoff.
Paoli Football will be represented by four Rams on the South Team
Tanner Wroblewski WR
Riley Balsmeyer, Manager
Hannah Balsmeyer, Manager
Brian Balsmeyer, Asst. Coach/Defensive Coordinator
***Paoli Rams Senior Wide Receiver Tanner Wroblewski and Senior Defensive back Tanner Kameda were named a IFCA Region 10 All-Star for the 2013 Football Season
****WROBLEWSKI AND ENGLAND NAMED IFCA FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE BALSMEYER AND GILL NAMED JUNIOR ALL-STATE****
Paoli Rams Senior Tanner Wroblewski was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) First Team All-State as a Wide Receiver for the 2013 Football season Tanner set every single season record for Receiving in Paoli football history not only that but he has the 9th best single season receiving yardage for a single season in IHSAA history
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Lineman Tristan England was named IFCA First Team All-State as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 football season Tristan lead the Rams in tackles this season
Paoli Junior Quarterback Brett Balsmeyer was named IFCA First Team Junior All-State as a Quarterback for the 2013 football season
Paoli Junior Defensive End Ruger Gill was named IFCA First Team Junior All-State as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 football season
****WROBLEWSKI NAMED 2013 2A AP ALL STATE DEFENSOVER BACK OTHJER RAMS RECEIVE RECOGNITION****
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Tanner Wroblewski was named to the 2013 Associated Press (AP) Class 2A First Team All-State as a defensive back for the 2013 season Tanner was a key contributor on defense and his 2 late 4th Quarter interceptions helped Paoli defeat Triton Central for their 3rd Sectional Championship
Other Rams receiving Recognition:
Brett Balsmeyer: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention at Quarterback for the 2013 football season Brett broke almost every Paoli passing record during the 2013 season
Garrett Strange: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable mention as a Wide Receiver for the 2013 football season
Jordan Cadle: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honortable Mention as an offensive Lineman for the 2013 football season
Ruger Gill: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 Football Season
Tristan England: Was Named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 Football Season
Evan Jones: Was Named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention As A Defensive Back for the 2013 Football Season
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****PAOLI RAMS 2013 CLASS 2A REGIONAL CHAMPIONS DEFEAT #6 SOUTHRIDGE 24-20****
PAOLI, IN — In the bedlam on the football field, in the immediate aftermath of an upset victory, Paoli football coach Brian Balsmeyer planted a kiss on his quarterback’s forehead. His son deserved it.
Brett Balsmeyer threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for the winning score with 3:06 left as the No. 12 Rams clipped No. 5 Southridge 24-20 in the Class 2-A regional at Cook Field on Friday night.
Paoli (11-2), with the second regional title in program history, advanced to meet No. 3 Indianapolis Ritter (11-2) in the semistate. Ritter will host the showdown game after conquering No. 4 Scecina 28-14.
Balsmeyer was accurate — only two of his passes hit the ground, although three ended in enemy hands — and tough when the circumstances demanded it. Nursing a sore right ankle, limping on his plant foot, he connected twice with star wideout Tanner Wroblewski on the go-ahead drive, then powered into the end zone from 5 yards.
Balsmeyer was 16 of 21 with three interceptions, with Wroblewski catching seven for 157 yards. None was bigger than the fourth-and-4 connection for 22 yards during the game’s signature drive.
“He has shown he’s a warrior,” Balsmeyer said of his junior quarterback, who was suffering from a high ankle sprain. “I couldn’t be prouder as a coach and as a father. He’s done the job.”
Paoli’s defense also earned a collective kiss, recording a shutout in the second half to give Balsmeyer and his offense shots at the comeback. The Raiders (10-3) got in the red zone three times in the third quarter and came up empty.
Turnovers, and Southridge’s relentless ground advances with its Wing-T attack, put the Rams in a dangerous hole.
Paoli struck first on its first possession, with Balsmeyer completing five passes — the biggest a 30-yarder to Wroblewski — to set up Luke Becht’s 2-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead.
The Raiders answered with a 60-yard, 11-play, sledgehammer drive. Connor Craig ripped off a 24-yard run, but the rest was in small bits and chunks. Luke Stetter capped it with a 3-yard pass to Brett Nordhoff for a 7-6 lead.
Southridge picked off its first interception on the next series. Safety Cody Thompson stepped under a floater after Wroblewski fell after a collision during his route, returning the theft 26 yards, and Craig cracked 13 yards for the touchdown.
The Rams ended a defenseless first quarter with another quick-strike score. Balsmeyer connected twice with Wroblewski and hit Austin Moore from 17 yards for the TD. For the second time, the extra point was wide, leaving Paoli working on a 14-12 deficit.
Southridge closed the half with what looked to be a turning-point score, killing the final 7:38 with a 16-play march. Craig converted a fourth down into a touchdown from 2 yards with 1.2 seconds left.
“There were a lot of nerves,” Wroblewski said. “Once we settled down, we executed. It was just playing football. At the end, we made a play to win the ballgame, and that’s all we needed.”
Balsmeyer hit Tanner Kameda with an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown to pull Paoli within 20-18 in the third quarter.
Craig finished with 92 yards rushing, but Southridge was stymied in the second half as Paoli had five sacks to dodge the Southridge scoring chances.
“You have to give them a lot of credit,” Southridge coach Scott Buening said. “They anted up and got a lot of stops when they needed to. They were able to get it done.”
Paoli won its other regional in 2009.
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****PAOLI RAMS 2013 CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 39 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS****
Paoli ran the clock down with four running plays, giving the ball back to the Tigers with 33 seconds left, but Nelson was picked off on the first play, again by Wroblewski.
Despite an inspired start by the Tigers in the first 31⁄2 minutes of the game, scoring both of their touchdowns in that stretch, the Rams regained their composure to pull within seven.
Three of the five touchdowns occurred in the first five minutes of the game.
The game started off kind of odd, but in Triton Central’s favor.
Jonah Thacker’s greatest contribution in the game came on the opening kickoff. He returned it 60 yards to the 21-yard line before being being brought down.
Paoli was called offsides on the first play and Thacker ran the ball twice for the first down.
Nelson then fumbled on the next play, but Holtz recovered the ball, and after trying to make a play, was brought down for a 20-yard loss.
On second-and-30, Nelson connected with Arbuckle for a 31-yard touchdown pass 2:09 into the game.
On the kickoff, the Tigers stripped the ball and Holtz recovered it, returning it for a touchdown for a quick 14-0 lead with 9:38 left in the first quarter.
But their fortunes quickly changed.
Paoli went on an 11-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a Brett Balsmeyer 25-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Wroblewski, his first of two in the game.
“We got up two touchdowns, but then we let them right back in with another score,” Able said. “It could have been 21-0 at halftime. It’s just one of those tough things. We talked about, this is the greatest game there is, and we’ve got to be ready to play each and every week. I don’t know. I’m lost for words. I’m kind of in shock right now myself.”
Triton Central had an opportunity on its fourth drive of the half to go into halftime with a 21-7 lead.
Thacker ran the ball six straight times, including an 11-yard run in which he bulldozed his way through the defense for the first down. The drive ended, however, when he fumbled at Paoli’s 18-yard line.
“We should have went in 21-7 and it’s a different game, different mindset, all of that,” Able said. “They were able to control our game. We had them figured out before the half, and we turned the ball over. When we didn’t get that third touchdown, we had plenty of time, we had them figured out, we got our plays rolling, and in the second half we started off good against them, but they adjusted to what we were doing. Their kids found a way to win, and we didn’t.”
Paoli’s aerial attack kept Triton Central’s defense on the field for long stretches the entire game.
The Rams finished with 263 passing yards, second-most given up by Triton Central’s defense in 2013, and 391 total yards, the third-most allowed.
Wroblewski finished with 12 receptions for 183 yards, including two touchdown receptions. The second tied the game on a 10-play, 73-yard drive, with 8:59 left in the third.
“They did a great job throwing the ball,” Able said. “That’s the only team all year that’s been able to throw on us. Everybody knew who (Balsmeyer) was throwing it to. He’s a great receiver.”
It was another touchdown pass, this one to senior Evan Jones, that gave Paoli the lead with 2:34 left in the third. Jones’ 5-yard catch on fourth-and-goal ended an 18-play drive.
“Other than Ritter, this is by far the best passing game we’ve seen,” Able said. “They had a good enough run game. We had to respect that, too, and they were able to make the plays, and we didn’t in key situations.”
Paoli (10-2) moves on to Regional to take on Southridge (10-2) who defeated #1 ranked Evansville Mater De 21-19 Friday Night
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****The above picture is taken of THE 2013 Paoli Rams Football Team As They gather around the Sectional Championship trophy for a team photo
****11-12-13 added the picture above and other stuff
****THE PAOLI RAMS 7TH AND 8TH GRADE FOOTBALL TEAM FINISHED WITH IDENTICAL UNDEFEATED 8-0 RECORDS**** Head Coach of the Junior High Teams is Adam Stroud
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****INDIANAPOLIS COLTS FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL COMING TO PAOLI****
Prior to Paoli's September 20th game vs. West Washington The Indianapolis Colts Friday Night Football Tour will be at Paoli
Each fall, the Indianapolis Colts travel around the state to feature marquee high school football matchups as part of the Friday Night Football Tour. At each stop on the Friday Night Football Tour, the Indianapolis Colts will make a $500 donation to each of the home team’s football and health/wellness programs on behalf of the Friday Night Football Tour sponsors.
The Tour begins one and a half (1.5) hours prior to kickoff. Friday Night Football Tour elements include Colts Cheerleader autographs, Quarterback Challenge football toss, Colts giveaways and fans may also register to win Colts tickets and prizes.
****PAOLI 10TH IN PRESEASON IFCA 2A POLL**
The Paoli Rams enter the 2013 Football Season ranked #10 in the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Preseason Class 2A Poll
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There will be a re-dedication of the Football Field in honor of John Cook on Friday September 20, 2013 before Paoli's home game against West Washington the Paoli Football Field was named in honor of John Cook in 1963 when John was the first Paoli resident to die in combat during the Vietnam War. John Cook was also a member of the first ever Paoli football team in 1962
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****PAOLI RAMS FOOTBALL PLAYERS GETTING LOOKED AT BY D-1 & D-2 SCHOOLS (NOW KNOWN AS FBS & FCS)****
In recent months several Paoli players have demonstrated their skills for college coaches.
Ruger Gill: Purdue University, Indiana State
Tanner Wroblewski: Indiana State, University of Cincinnati and Indiana University.
Tanner Kameda: University of Indianapolis, Indiana State
Garrett Strange, and Brett Balsmeyer: Indiana State
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Be sure to checkout the basketball site for The Rams at HTTP://WWW.LEAGUELINEUP.COM/PAOLIBBALL
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The Paoli Rams Football Team will be heading to Dalton, Georgia on July 13-14, 2013 to participate in the Southeastern Football 7 on 7 competotion
The Paoli Rams Football Team Competed in the 7 on 7 tournament held at the Indianapolis Colts practice facility earlier this month they went 1-3 losing to Indianapolis Ritter 28-21, defeating Northeastern 34-17, losing to an Evansville All-Star team 24-7 and losing to Columbus North 31-21
The Paoli Rams Football Team lead by Junior Quarterback Brett Balsmeyer won their pool in pool play at the Southeastern 7 on 7 Football Tournament held in Dalton , Georgia one of the teams the defeated were the 2012 North Carolinba independent Schools Athletic Association Division 3 State Champion in Victory Christian. "It was a great comepetition from top to bottom i've never seen anything like it, that is great for the kids they competed, had a good time, and lerarned" said Paoli Rams Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer
****SOUTHEASTERN 7 ON 7 RESULTS****
Paoli Rams 23 Victory Christian (North Carolina) 23
Paoli Rams 31 North Murray (Georgia) 18
Paoli Rams 28 Scotlandville (Louisiana) 24
Paoli Rams 18 Ridgeland (Georgia) 3
Fletcher (Florida) 19 Paoli Rams 3
Cedar Grove (Georgia) 28 Paoli Rams 22
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Tanner Wroblewski has been named on of The Indiana Football Digest's "Prime Time 25" Players heading into the 2013 Football Season.
Lee Wroblewski was named Indiana Football Digest's Small School All-State Team As A Defensive Back For The 2012 Football Season
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***NEW CLASS 2A 39 FOOTBALL SECTIONAL****
Clarksville
Crawford County
Eastern (Pekin)
Indianapolis Manual
Milan
Paoli
Providence
Triton Central
****PAOLI RAMS SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR 2013 FOOTBALL SEASON****
For the 2013 Football Season the Paoli Rams will drop Class 5A Evansville North from the schedule but will add Class 5A Power Evansville Central to the schedule...also The annual Orange Bowl game between Paoli and Springs Valley returns to the 3rd game of the season followed by Perry Central which moves up a few weeks in the schedule Mitchell drops down to the 8th game of the season and North Harrison finishes out the regular season schedule.
2013 Paoli Rams Football Schedule:
8-23-13 vs. Salem
8-30-13 vs. Evansville Central
9-6-13 vs. Springs Valley
9-13-13 at. Perry Central
9-20-13 vs. West Washington
9-27-13 at. Corydon
10-4-13 at. Crawford County
10-11-13 at. Mitchell
10-18-13 vs. North Harrison
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The Paoli Rams Football Team In The Summer of 2013 Will Compete In A Natoinal 7 on 7 Football Tournament To Be Held In The State Of georgia
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****2 RAMS PLAYERS NAMED IFCA ALL-STATE 2 RAMS PLAYERS NAMED IFCA JUNIOR ALL-STATE*****
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Lee Wroblewski and Senior Linebacker/Defensive End C.J. Andry were both named to the Indiana Football Coaches Associaton (IFCA) Class 2A All-State Team for the 2012 football season.
Paoli Rams Junior Defensive Lineman Tristan England and Junior Defensive Back Tanner Wroblewski were both named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) C;ass 2A Junior All-State Team for the 2012 football season
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****6 PAOLI RAMS FOOTBALL PLAYERS NAMED 2A ALL-STATE HONORABLE MENTION****
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Lee Wroblewski was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention team for the 2012 football season.
Paoli Rams Junior Defenseive Back Tanner Wroblewski was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team for the 2012 season Tanner led the team in interceptions for the 2012 season
Paoli Rams Senior Offensive Lineman C.J. Andry was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honoable Mention Team for the 2012 Football season
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive End Jon Clark was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team For the 2012 Football Season
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Josh Rice was named to the Associated Press C;ass 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team For the 2012 football Season.
Paoli Rams Junior Defensive Lineman Tristan England was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honrable Mention Team For The 2012 Football Season.
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****8 PAOLI RAMS FOOTBALL TEAM MEMBERS NAMED P.L.A.C ALL-CONFERENCE****
Eight Paoli Rams Football Team Members were named to the Patoka Lake Athletic Conference 2012 All-Conference Football Team Those Rams Football team Members that Made The Team Were:
Lee Wroblewski: Quarterback
Travis Allen: Fullback
C.J. Andry: Center
Josh Rice: Linebacker
Dylan McClintock: Linebacker
Jon Clark Defensive End
Tyler Line: Cornerback
Aaron Key: Punter
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*****PAOLI HEADS TO THEIR 5TH CONSECUTIVE SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME DEFEAT TRITON CENTRAL 22-21 IN OVERTIME THRILLER****
FAIRLAND — Triton Central head coach Gabe Johnson and Tigers' fans held their breath as Paoli quarterback Lee Wroblewski found younger brother Tanner Wroblewski in the back of the endzone for the game-winning two-point conversion for a 22-21 overtime win Friday night.
The Rams entered Bud Mendenhall Field seeking revenge for a 2011 sectional championship game loss to the Tigers, who were undefeated at home this season and riding a four-game winning streak.
The opening minutes for the Rams were difficult ones -- bobbling the opening kickoff, punting on their first drive and watching Tigers' running back Jonah Thacker open up two solid runs for nine and 14 yards, respectively. Then, fortune took a swing.
Trey Miller ran a ball up the middle for an apparent first down when the Rams' defense got something on the ball, forcing a fumble and recovering to stop the Tigers' drive.
A four-minute, 71-yard drive followed. The end result was a 33-yard pass from one Wroblewski to another that gave the Rams the first score of the night.
While Triton Central seemed to dominate the stat sheet with another night of powerful running by Thacker, it also dominated the penalty count, several times negating first-down plays.
Midway through the second quarter, the Rams took over on downs after Defensive Lineman Jon Clark sacked TC quarterback Dillon Nelson, setting up their second scoring drive of the night.
Quarterback Lee Wroblewski was instrumental in the drive, making several runs for big yardage before finding Tanner Wroblewski again in the end zone, this time for an 18-yard touchdown.
"We didn't do ourselves any favors in the first half obviously," Johnson said. "We got down 14-0 and picked up a lot of penalties. It was a hole we had to dig ourselves out of and we did a little bit. Coming back out our kids responded very well. They played their hearts out in the second half and got themselves in a position to win."
And that they did. A much more disciplined Tigers team took the field in the second half.
The defense stepped up and forced the Rams to punt. A bad snap was disaster for Paoli when the punt attempt by Aaron Key was blocked by Derek Arbuckle and returned by Dylan Spivey.
That put the Tigers in excellent field position, allowing Dillon Nelson to pick up a one-yard touchdown score, sparking life into the defending sectional champions.
After a failed fourth-down conversion on the next Tigers drive, the defense was forced to come up big once again. The Rams drove 65 yards keyed by a big run by Lee Wroblewski but stalled at the TC 19-yard line. A 36-yard field goal attempt by Garrett Strange sailed wide right.
With 3:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, Dillon Nelson took over.
After connecting with T.J. Vannoy on fourth down for a 17-yard gain, Nelson found older brother Dakota Nelson on three consecutive plays, the last a 26-yard touchdown catch which forced the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Tigers made quick work of scoring, with Thacker scoring on a six-yard touchdown run. Garrett Himstedt added the extra point, and it was up to Paoli to keep the game going.
The Wroblewskis failed to connect on first down.
Lee Wroblewski followed with a 4-yard run that set up a Garrett Strange 6-yard touchdown run, leaving the score at 21-20. The extra-point kick would have forced a second overtime, but head coach Brian Balsmeyer elected to go for two points and the win.
That's when the Wroblewski’s sealed it for the Rams, ending the Tigers' season at 7-3.
Lawrenceburg will play at Paoli next Friday at 8:00 for the sectional crown
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****PAOLI DEFEATS PROVIDENCE 40-0 IN FIRST ROUND OF SECTIONAL****
PAOLI — The Providence football team found out a very important thing on Friday night at Cook Field — Paoli’s defense is as good as advertised.
The Rams held the Pioneers to 96 total yards, including 42 yards rushing, in posting their fourth shutout of the season, 40-0 in the first round of Class 2A Sectional 31. Paoli (8-2) will visit Triton Central, a 33-12 winner over Monrovia on Friday night, next Friday in the semifinals.
Entering the game, the Rams ranked 14th in the state and second in Class 2A in scoring defense, allowing 10 points per contest.
“Their front seven is very good and I can’t take anything away from their secondary,” said Pioneers’ coach Larry Denison, whose team got blanked for the second time in three games. “We wanted to try to throw a little bit and take it from there.”
Denison decided to rely on the arm of Providence quarterback Nathan Banet on Friday because his top four running backs were inactive because of injuries. That quartet included juniors Owen Mattingly and Ben Hauber, sophomore Matt Bell and senior Erron Hickerson. Hickerson, who also plays defensive back, was out with a high ankle sprain.
“I would have loved to played them at full strength,” said Denison, who also was without senior linemen Daniel Fernandez and Cameron Mitchell. “They were just a better team tonight.”
Banet struggled under center, completing only 6-of-27 passes for 54 yards and three interceptions. Junior Conner Johnson led the Pioneer running attack, gaining 26 yards on 10 carries.
“We knew it was going to be tough to run the ball against them,” Denison said.
The Rams needed only four running plays to score their first touchdown. On third-and-2 at the Providence 4-yard line, Paoli senior quarterback Lee Wroblewski ran 4 yards into the end zone to put Paoli up 7-0 with 8:51 left in the first quarter.
After the Pioneers (3-7) committed a 15-yard penalty for interfering with the Rams’ punt returner that placed the ball at the Paoli 49, Wroblewski hit Rams’ split end Tanner Wroblewski on a 47-yard pass along the right sideline to get the pigskin inside the Pioneer 5.
Then, senior fullback Travis Allen rumbled into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown to extend the advantage to 13-0 at the 7:06 mark of the first.
Following a Providence three-and-out, the Rams reached paydirt again in the opening stanza.
On fourth-and-an-inch at the Paoli 47, Lee Wroblewski appeared to be stopped at the Paoli 48 on a quarterback sneak. But the Rams’ signal-caller’s knee never went down, as he broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run to up the lead to 19-0. The advantage grew to 21-0 when Tanner Wroblewski caught a pass from Lee Wroblewski for the two-point conversion.
Paoli increased its lead to 27-0 when Allen scored his second 4-yard touchdown run on the night at the 11:31 mark of the second quarter.
Providence tried some trickery to keep its next drive alive.
On fourth-and-7 at the Paoli 48 and with the Pioneers lined up to punt, the ball got snapped to Banet, who was the upback. Banet executed the fake punt by completing a 20-yard pass to Johnson for a first down, moving the ball to the Paoli 28.
But Providence gained only 1 yard on the next four plays, turning the ball over on downs and creating no spark to its offense.
“We hoped it would spark us,” Denison said about the fake punt. “But Paoli responded well. I thought it would jump-start us.”
Paoli went up 34-0 with 21.9 seconds left in the first half, as Tanner Wroblewski caught a 1-yard TD pass from Lee Wroblewski.
The Rams’ final touchdown came in the final quarter, as Dylan McClintock had a 1-yard TD run with 10:41 left in regulation.
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****ATTENTION RAMS FANS***
In a tradition that started a few years back Paoli Rams Football would like to reach out to all of the Ram followers and fans out there who may come across this site to stay up to date on the progression of the Rams throughout the season so as in the past few years we would like to encourage anyone out there who would like to show their support for the program to use the forum (which you can access through the left column on the homepage) or leave a message or well wishes on the guestbook located at the top of the page after the activity the forum received last year and the support people showed whether positive or negative it showed everyone's passion for the Purple and Gold we encourage everyone to get involved and show support as The Rams look to go deep into the playoffs and make a run at a state championship in 2012
Thanks Again,
Rams Football
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****WROBLEWSKI NAMED 2A PRESEASEON ALL-STATE****
Paoli Senior Lee Wroblewski was named to the Indiana Football Digest's 2012 Class 2A Pre-Season All-State Team At Defensive Back heading Into The 2012 Football Season
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****INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON TAKES CRAWFORD COUNTY'S SPOT ON 2012 SCHEDULE***
After dropping their game against Crawford County on August 24th because of lack of players the Paoli Rams added the Indianapolis Washington Continentals to replace Crawford County for the August 24th game Indianapolis Washington is a Class 1A school out of Indianapolis
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2011 SEASON
****BRADBURY TO ATTEND INDIANA STATE FOR TRACK***
Paoli Rams Senior Offensive Lineman and Linebacker Zach Bradbury recently announced that he will attend Indiana State University on a Track and Field Scholarship he also plans to try and be a walk on gotr the Indiana State Football Team Bradbury turned down numerours small school offers for football because he wanted to stay close to home where he could study his furture passion of flying and Indiana State was on;y a few In State Colleges that offered Aviation Bradbury led The Rams in tackles this past football season he was also named AP All-State Honorable Mention At Offensive and Defensive Line
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****SANDERS AND AXSOM NAMED TO REGION 10 ALL-STAR TEAM****
Paoli rams Senior Teammates Garrett Sanders and Trevor Axsom were both named to the IFCA Region 10 All-Star Team for the 2011 season Sanders made the team as an offensive lineman and Axsom made the team as a defensive back.
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****3 RAMS NAMED IFCA ALL-STATE 1 NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-STATE***
3 Members of the 2011 Paoli Rams Football Team were named to the Indiana Football coaches Association (IFCA) Class 2A All-State Team for the 2011 Football Season Rams Receiving Those Honors Were:
Trevor Axsom: Was named to the IFCA 2A All-State Team As A Defensive Back for the 2011 season Axsom led the Rams in interceptions this season
Garrett Sanders: Was named to the IFCA 2A All-State as an Offensive Lineman Garrett was the starting Center for The Rams this past season
Lee Wroblewski: Was named to the IFCA 2A Junior All-State Team as a Defensive Back for the 2011 season Lee made a solid contribution at Defensive Back All Season for The Rams.
Joe Tuell: Was named to the IFCA Academic All-State Team For the 2011 season
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****AXSOM NAMED 2A ALL-STATE FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR OTHERS RECEIVE RECOGNITION***
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Trevor Axsom was named to the Associated Press (AP) Class 2A 1st Team All-State as a Defensive Back for the 2011 Football Season it was his second consecutive season being named to the 1st Team 2A All-State Team Axsom once again lead the Rams in interceptoins during the 2011 season.
Other Rams Receiving Honors:
Brian Wilson: Was named Honorable Mention All-State at Quarterback by The Associated Press Wilson almost rushed for 1,000 yards in 2011
Garrett Shepard: Was named Honorable Mention All-State at Runningback for the 2011 season by the Associated Press Shepard nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2011. Shepard also lead the Rams in rushing for the 2011 season
Zach Bradbury: Was Named 2A Honorable Mention All-State at Both Offensive Line and Linebacker by the Associated Press for the 2011 football season Bradbury lead the teams in tackles during the 2011 season.
Lee Wroblewski: Was Named 2A Honorable Mention All-State as a Defensive Back for the 2011 season by the Associated Press...Lee was one of they key contributors on defense for the Rams in 2011
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****9 RAMS NAMED PLAC ALL-CONFERENCE****
9 Members of the 2011 Patoka Lake Athletic (PLAC) Champions Paoli Rams Football Team were named to the P.L.A.C All-Conference Team for the 2011 Football Season reprsenting The Rams On the PLAC Team Are:
Garrett Sanders: Offensive Line
Colton Phelps: Wide Receiver
Trevor Axsom: Wide Receiver
Garrett Shepard: Fullback
Brian Wilson: Quarterback
Jose Nunez: Kicker
Zach Bradbury: Linebacker
Channing Kameda: Defensive Back
Lee Wroblewski: Defensive Back
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****BALSMEYER SET TO COACHING RECORD*** (Update)
After defeating the Monrovia Bulldogs Friday October 28th Paoli rams Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer collected his 47th win as Rams Head Coach making hin the all-time wins leader in Paoli Football history passing themark of 46 wins set by former coach Eldon Seacat
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****RAMS HEAD INTO 4TH CONSECUTIVE SECTIONAL FINALS DEFEAT MONROVIA 34-20***
The Paoli Rams will roll into their 4th consecutive Sectional Finals appearence after defeating Monrovia 34-20 in Sectional Semifinal Action Friday Night. The Rams started fast, taking the opening kickoff 54 yards on just 4 plays with Senio Quarterback Brian Wilson rambling the final 36 yards into the endzone. Garrett Shepard added the 2-Point Conversion to give Paoli a quick 8-0 lead.
"We were able to run the ball and get some points on the board early" said Paoli Coach Brian Balsmeyer "So it started off well we kind of lost the mojo for a little bit, but we were able to get it back and get the win we had a lot of kids step up tonight to help us get the job done."
Monrovia threatend to answer on it's first possesion The Bulldogs drove deep into Paoli territory before turning the ball over on a fumble into thw endzone. a Monrovia runningback fumbled right before he went into the endzone Rams Senior Defensive Back Trevor Axsom fell on the ball in the endzone for a touchback.
After the ball was spotted on the 20 for The Rams Senior Fullback Garrett Shepard busted out a big run for the Rams they woul cap off the scoring drive with a 1 yard Quarterback Sneak from Brian Wilson a Jose Nunez extra point made the game 15-0.
Monrovia finally got on the scoreboard with 2:47 left in the 2nd Quarter as they mounted a 16 play drive and it was capped off by Trea Dillon's 8 yard scamper. Paoli would answer in a 2-minute drill type offense and moved the ball quickly downfield as Brian Wilson would once again cap off the scoring drive with a 10 yard scoring run with 26 seconds left on the clock.
"That was a huge drive" said Balsmeyer "We had some big runs by Shepard and by Wilson an we were able to put up some points on the boaard before the half so that helped alot."
Monrovia came out in the 3rd Quarter and mounted a charge first on a 1 yard Touchdown run by Nick Fairfield then after Paoli's Channing Kameda fumbled the ball which Monrovia recovered Monrovia seemed like they had all the momentum as Austin Benjamin scored from 8 yards out but a big play at the time was the pass that was knocked down on the 2-point conversion attempt by Paoli's Lee Wroblewski to keep the Rams at a 2 point lead.
On their next possesion and with Monrovia having all of the momentum Paoli faced a 4th and 2 around midfield Wilson dropped back and found Senior Colton Phelps who went low to haul in a 7 yard reception to keep the drive going after the 4th down conversion it was the Wilson/Shepard show as the each took turns carrying the ball with Shepard with a big 23 yard run to set up the Rams with first and goal at the 2 yard line. Shepard would finish off the drive 2 plays later with a 1 yard touchdown dive up the middle.
Paoli's last score was the "Garrett Shepard Show" as the senior sealed the win with a nifty 28 yard scoring run after setting himself up for the 28 yard Touchdown Run with some long key runs on the drive. In a last ditch effort Monrovia Freshman Quarterback Dayton Clements threw up a hail mary pass that was intercepted by Trevor Axsom...The Rams will play Triton Central (6-5) who defeated Lawrenceburg 41-21 in the other Sectional Semifinal.
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***PAOLI RAMS YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAMS SCRIMMAGE AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM***
On Saturday September 4th The Paoli Rams Youth Football Teams took part in a scrimmage at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts the young Rams play in the PLAY (Patoka Lake Area Youth) football program which also includes the Springs Valley Blackhawks Youth Football teams and the Mitchell Blujackets Youth Football Teams The Paoli Rams Youth Football Team along with the other teams field teams from the 3rd to 6th grades all 3 teams participated in the scimmage Adam Burton is the president of the Paoli portion of the PLAY Youth Football League and also is a coach for one of the Paoli Rams Youth teams other Paoli Rams Youth Football Coaches Are: Mike England, Scott Kameda, Todd Merideth, Greg Hamilton, Casey Foye, Zach Patton, Terry Nicholson, James Beavers, Billy Chastain, Jim Gerkin, Dustin Ingle, Steve Lawson, Marty Minton, Clint Hoffman
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***RAMS LEADING THE STATE***
Heading into Week 3 of the 2011 football season the Paoli Rams are leading the entire state of Indiana in Scoring and Margain of Victory The Rams also rank 3rd in the state in Defense
Scoring: 71.0 ppg (1st)
Margain of Victory: 67.5 ppg (1st)
Defense: 3.5 ppg (3rd)
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****RAMS FINISH 3-2 IN 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT****
The Paoli Rams Football team traveld to Indianapolis to compete in the 32 team Indianapolis Colts/National Guard 7 on 7 Tournament at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center at the Colts' Complex in pool play The Rams lost to defending Class 2A State Champion Ft. Wayne Luers 21-0 they then went of to defeat Heritage Christian by a score of 35-31. In the final game of pool play the Rams made a defensive stop for a 21-20 victory over Indian Creek. When The Rams started in the main tournament they advanced by defeating Greenfield Central 37-21 The Rams' Tournament Hopes came to and end when Indianapolis Arlington defeated The Rams 23-17.
PAOLI RAMS 7 ON 7 TEAM MEMBERS:
Brian Wilson: Senior
Trevor Axsom: Senior
Colton Phelps: Senior
Garrett Shepard: Senior
Tyler Line: Junior
Lee Wroblewski: Junior
Travis Allen: Junior
Josh Rice: Junior
Aaron Key: Junior
Tanner Wroblewski: Sophomore
Garrett Strange: Sophomore
Tanner Kameda: Sophomore
Bryan Morrell: Sophomore
Austin Moore: Freshman
Brett Balsmeyer: Freshman
Mark Miles: Freshman
As Part of the 7 on 7 Tournament each team represented has the chance to enter the lineman challenge which includes such events as a Humvee push, Tractor Tire Flip, A Sled pull, A Farmers Walk where partcipants carry 100 pound bars, and a Straw Run where Lineman Carry bails of straw, The Rams entered the contest with Team Members Zach Bradbury, Garrett Sanders, Joe Tuell, Travis Allen, C.J. Andry and incoming Freshmam Mark Miles finishing 5th one spot away from making it to the finals
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****2011 SCHEDULE CHANGES INCLUDE GAME WITH EVANSVILLE NORTH****
The 2011 Paoli Rams Football Schedule has been released and one huge change is that the Rams will drop Eastern Greene from their schedule and add Class 5A Evansville North to the schedule in 2011 in doing so by adding Evansville North not only does it bring more competition from a bigger 5A school but also prepares the Rams for potential teams they could face in the tournamnet...besides the addition of Evansville North...Perry Central moves from the last game of the season and takes over Crawford County's spot as the 7th game of the schedule...as Crawford County is now the 2nd game on the schedule...North Harrison takes over Perry Central's place as the last regular season game...the annual "Orange Bowl" Rivalry game with Springs Valley will be moved back a week from the 3rd week of the season to the 4th game...as Crawford County is now the 2nd game on the schedule
Paoli Rams 2011 Football Schedule:
8-19-11 vs. Salem
8-26-11 at. Crawford County
9-2-11 at. Mitchell
9-9-11 vs. Springs Valley
9-16-11 at. West Washington
9-23-11 at. Corydon
9-30-11 at. Perry Central
10-7-11 vs. Evansville North
10-14-11 vs. North Harrison
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2010 Season
****ANDRY TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR LINDSEY WILSON***
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Caleb Andry signed a letter of intent to play college football for The Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson College out of Columbia, Kentucky starting with the 2011 football season Lindsry Wilson is a NAIA school
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****5 RAMS EARN IFCA ALL-STATE HONORS****
Five Paoli Rams Football players earned All-State honors from the indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA)for the 2010 Football Season Those Rams Recieving All-State Honors From The IFCA Are As Follows:
Remington Gill: Was Named to the IFCA Class 2A 1st Team All-State at Defensive Line Gill lead the team in tackles during the 2010 season
Will Kimble: Was named to the IFCA Class 2A 1st Team All-State at Defensive Line...Kimble was one of the defensive leaders in tackles during the 2010 season...Kimble was also named Academic All-State by the IFCA for the 2010 Football Season
Caleb Andry: Was Named To The IFCA Class 2A 1st Team All-State at linebacker for the 2010 season...Andry finished 2nd on the team in tackles for the 2010 season....Andry was also nominated as a Red Zone Player of The Year for the 2010 season
Trevor Axsom: Was Named To The IFCA Class 2A 1st Team Junior All-State Team at Defensive Back..
Garrett Shepard: Was Named To The IFCA Class 2A 1st Team Junior All-State as a Kicker....Shepard made a 38 yard Field Goal during a game against Corydon during the 2010 season
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****AXSOM NAMED ALL-STATE OTHER RAMS RECIEVE RECOGNITION****
Paoli Rams Junior Defensive Back Trevor Axsom was named to the Associated Press Class 2A 1st Team All-State Team as a Defensive Back for the 2010 Football season Axsom set a single season school record with 10 interceptions during the 2010 season....
Other Rans Recieving Recognition;
Garrett Shepard: Was named Honorable Mention All-State at Runningback by the Associated Press Shepard run for nearly 1,000 yard during the 2010 season
Remington Gill: Was named All-State Honorable Mention All-State at Offensive Line by the Associated fpr the 2010 season Press Gill was the anchor for a solid Offensive Line
Caleb Andry: For The Second Consecutive Year was named All-State Honrable Mention at Linebacker for the 2010 season by the Associated Press Andry wrapped up a solid career for The Rams by finishing Second in tackles for the Rams during the 2010 season
Will Kimble: Was named All-State Honrable Mention a Linebacker by the Associated Press for the 2010 season Kimble was 3rd on the team in tackles
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****7 RAMS EARN PLAC ALL CONFERENCE IN FOOTBALL***
The Patoka Lake Athletic (PLAC) Champions Paoli Rams placed 7 team members on the 2010 PLAC All-Conference Team Representing The Rams on the Team Are:
Remington Gill: Defensive Line
Zach Weddle: Offensive Line
Tyson Bostock: Offensive Line
Trevor Wright: Defensive Line
Caleb Andry: Lienbacker
Will Kimble: Linebacker
Garrett Shepard: Kicker
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*****ATTENTION ALL RAMS FANS****
Thought I would pass the word on that The Rams are wanting to hear from their fans who happen to pass by this site or even frequently visit the site but would like to hear from all of the out of state or out of town Rams fans who don't have the opportunity to cheer on the Rams in person so if you happen to be a former Rams player or a Paoli graduate or if you have had previously coached within the Rams football program or in simple terms a Rams fan they would like you to sign the guestbook at the top of the page
Thanks,
RAMS Football
****RAMS 5TH IN PRESEASON ASSOCIATED PRESS FOOTBALL POLL***
The Paoli Rams will enter the 2010 football season as Defending Regional Champions ranked 5th in the 2010 Class 2A AP Poll
2010 Associated Press Class 2A Top 10 for 9-14-2010:
1. Ft. Wayne Luers
2. Indianapolis Ritter
3. Rensselear Central
4. Evansville Mater Dei
5. North Putnam
6. Wheeler
7. Heritage Christian
8. PAOLI
9. Forest Park
10. Brownstown
****RAMS WINLESS BUT COMPETITIVE AT COLTS 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS***
The Paoli Rams recently traveled to the Indianapolis Colts 7 on 7 Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis and the young Rams were 0-3 lead by new incoming Quarterback Junior Brian Wilson (who was a main running threat last season) The Rams spotted 2009 #1 in Class 2A Indianapolis Ritter a 17-0 lead beforing fighting back to lose 24-14...The Rams then fell to Rensselear Central 21-14...against Rensselear Central The Rams had the ball on the 1 yard line as time expired with a chance to tie the game...the final game The Rams lost to Heritage Christian 23-6 in that game The Rams threw 3 interceptions which ended up giving Heritage Christian 9 of their 23 points...also seeing action at Quarterback for the Rams were Tyler Line and incoming Freshmen Garrett Strange
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2009 SEASON
****LASWELL NAMED CLASS 2009 2A PLAYER OF THE YEAR***
Paoli Rams Senior Quarterback Logan Laswell was chosen as the Class 2A Player Of The Year for the 2009 Football Season at the Griddy Awards which took place March 28, 2010 at the Indianapolis Colts Pavilion in Indianapolis, Indiana
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****BAKER TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR FRANKLIN COLLEGE***
Paoli Rams Linebacker Cody Baker signed on to play college football for Franklin College starting in the 2010 football season Baker was the defensive leader over the past 2 seasons for the Rams leading the team in tackles both years and coming off a 2009 season in which he was named 1st Team All-State and an Indiana North/South All-Star...Baker also recieved interest from Ball State, Purdue and the University of Indianapolis
****BAKER NAMED TO NORTH/SOUTH ALL-STAR TEAM***
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Cody Baker was chosen to represent the South Team at Linebacker for the 2010 Indiana North/South All-Star Game to be held July 16, 2010 at North Central High School in Indianapolis...
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****THREE RAMS NAMED TO REGION 10 ALL-STAR TEAM***
Three Defensive Plyers from the Paoli Rams Football team were named to the 2009 Region 10 Football All-Star Team Representing The Rams on this team are:
Logan Laswell- Free Safety
Cody Baker- Linebacker
Jacob Randolph- Strong Safety
****LASWELL NAMED TO 50 PLAYERS IN STATE BY IFCA****
Paoli Rams Senior Quarterback Logan Laswell was named to the top 50 All-State team by the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Laswell was the only 2A Quarterback listed on the top 50 team and he was recognized as being a top 50 player in Indiana for 2009
Others Recieving Recignition by the IFCA
Jordan Cole: Was named Class 2A 1st Team All-State Offensive Lineman by the IFCA
Cody Baker: Was named Class 2A 1st Team All-State Offensive Lineman by the IFCA
Caleb Andry: Was named 1st Team Class 2A Junior All-State Linebacker by the IFCA
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****BAKER NAMED 1ST TEAM ALL-STATE OTHER RAMS RECIEVE RECOGNITION****
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Cody Baker was named to the 2009 Associated Press Class 2A 1st Team All-State Football Team as a Linebacker for the 2009 Football Season...Baker lead the team in tackles during the 2009 season...in 2008 Baker was named
Honorable Mention All-State by the Associated Press
Other Rams Recieving Honorable Mention All-State Honors for the 2009 Football Season were:
Logan Laswell Quarterback: The Do It All Quarterback for The Rams was named Honorable Mention All-State Quarterback by the Associated Press after leading The Rams in rushing and passing...
Tyler Dillard: Was named All-State Honrable Mention at Runningback by The Associated Press...Dillard was second for the Rams in rushing and Touchdowns
Jordan Cole: Was named All-State Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman by the Associated Press...Cole anchored the Rams offensive Line
Caleb Andry: Was named All-State Honorable Mention at Linebacker by the Associated Press he was second on the team in tackles....
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****PAOLI FINDS LUCK ON FRIDAY THE 13TH BEAT EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 14-7 TO EARN TRIP TO SEMI-STATE***
PAOLI, Ind. — There's nothing unlucky about Friday the 13th for Paoli High School's football team.
Friday night the Rams held off Evansville Mater Dei 14-7 and won their first regional title and also won their 13th game of the year.
The Rams (13-0) will travel to No.2 Monrovia — a 20-15 winner over Indianapolis Ritter — for next weekend's Class2-A semistate.
“The kids have played so hard all year long,” Paoli coach Brian Balsmeyer said. “I couldn't be prouder of them. (Winning the regional) means we're playing again.”
With Logan Laswell hobbled by an early hit to his left knee, the Rams went to the air in the first half.
After that incident, Laswell — who normally plays free safety — didn't play defense the rest of the night.
“I'm not hurt,” Laswell said after the game as a smile slipped across his face. “I'm OK.”
Paoli missed out on a couple of scoring chances in the first half.
After Laswell hit Thomas Springer with a 49-yard pass, Paoli had the ball at the Mater Dei 2. Then Laswell fumbled the snap and the ball rolled to the 5, where Mater Dei's Andrew Wahl fell on it late in the first quarter.
On its next possession, the Rams again pushed the ball into Mater Dei territory and Paoli again fumbled, at the Wildcats' 28-yard line.
Mater Dei quarterback Dane Maurer completed a 59-yard pass to Dalton Brandenstein for an apparent touchdown, but a motion penalty brought the play back with 7:31 left in the half.
Maurer got the passing game going again a few minutes later, hitting Matt Fischer on a 33-yard play to the Paoli 5. On the next play, Cody Hess darted into the end zone untouched with 3:38 left in the half.
Then Laswell, still hobbling, took an option keeper and rambled 48 yards to the Mater Dei 17. Three plays later, the Rams were backed up to the 27 and called a timeout 3.5 seconds before the intermission. On the final play of the half, Laswell hit Tate Smith in the left corner of the end zone, making it 7-all.
“Tate (Smith) has made catches like that all year,” Laswell said. “It was a start-and-go and I just threw it to the corner of the end zone. The line really blocked well.”
Paoli's defense stiffened in the second half, allowing just 47 yards for the half and just 159 for the game.
“Our defense has played well all year,” Balsmeyer said.
The Rams manufactured enough points to win in the third quarter.
After Paoli's Jacob Randolph intercepted a pass at the Rams' 39, Paoli needed just three plays to take its first lead of the game.
Brian Wilson took a handoff from Laswell and scooted 28 yards to the Mater Dei 33. Then Randolph ran 11 yards to the 22.
From there, Laswell used an option keeper and found a hole, then lowered his head for the final 5 yards and plowed his way into the end zone with 8:27 left in the quarter.
“The line did a great job of blocking, especially on that play,” Laswell said. “It was just a huge hole. I tried to outrun them (early in the game on the 48-yard run when he was caught). I thought I'd try something different.”
Randolph ran the ball eight times for 53 yards, intercepted a pass and after Senior Linebacker Cody Baker smashed into a Mater Dei Reciever recovered a fumble late in the game, helping the Rams seal the win.
Paoli had a scare with 0.6 seconds left on the clock as Mater Dei tried the ol' hook and ladder play that was stuffed at mid field.
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***10 RAMS PLAYERS NAMED PLAC ALL- CONFERENCE***
Patoka Lake Athletic Conference (PLAC) Champions The Paoli Rams had 10 players named to PLAC All-Conference Team leading the conference in players named onto the teams. The following 10 Rams players were named to the team:
Logan Laswell: Quarterback
Tyler Dillard: Runningback
Tate Smith: Wide Reciever
Cody Raymer: Offensive Line
Cody Baker: Linebacker
Jordan Cole: Kicker/Special Teams
Thomas Springer: Defensive Back
Jacob Randolph: Defensive Back
Caleb Andry: Linebacker
Will Kimble: Linebacker/Defensive End
****RAMS WIN SECTIONAL 31 WIN FIRST SECTIONAL SINCE 1977***
For the third time in as many games in the past four weeks the PaoliRams found themselves in a precarious situation Friday Night, needing to come back again to keep their undefeated season alive.
With the Sectional 31 Championship on the line the 3rd Ranked Rams did what they did all year long. The defense refused to budge in the 3rd Quarter and the Rams put together a pair of scores together to turn the tide en eoute to a 21-13 victory over the Brownstown Braves.
The Rams managed a pair of first downs in the 1st Quarter but the swarming Brownstown defense kept The Rams on their heels as they made Logan Laswell look like he was running for his life throughout the first half and The Rams couldn't penetrate into Brownstown territory.
The Braves on the other hand didn't record a first down until the 2:16 mark of the 2nd quarter when they broke the ice with a 73 yard drive that was capped of by a 27 yard Touchdown Run by Caleb Silvers that gave Brownstown a 7-0 lead going into halftime.
"Offensively we knew it was going to be hard" said Rams Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer "They're going to man up and they're a good football team with good athletes and we we're just going to have to keep pounding and working to get the job done, and that's what the kids did. We got into halftime and made a few adjustments and the kids came out and excecuted and got the job done."
The Rams needed just five plays to reach the endzone in the 3rd Quarter as Senior Quarterback Logan Laswell followed Tyler Dillard through the line for gains of 23 and 13 yards before Dillard broke through and slid through tackles for a 27 yard Touchdown Run at the 9:37 the extra point by Jose Nunez tied the game at 7-7 the Paoli defense took over from there.
The Rams defense didn't allow a single first down to Brownstown in the 3rd Quarter and stuffing Brownstown's Kelley Wagner on 4th and 1 to keep the home team in the game.
Laswell who had 139 yards in the second half had runs of 37 and 14 on the Rams' next drive then Dillard added a 13 yard run before Laswell capped off the go ahead Touchdown on a 3 yard Touchdown Run at the 4:31 mark "We knew they were going ot put so many in the box but we just continued to fight and get the job done" said Balsmeyer
After the Braves turned the ball over pn downs at their 44 late in the period The Rams failed to geta first down and punted the ball back to the Braves which rolled out of bounds at the 3 yard line Brownstown picked up a first down at their own 44 when Braves Quarterback Ryan Shoemaker dropped back to pass Caleb Silvers was opne in the falt and right as Silvers recieved the ball Rams Senior Cornerback Tate Smith hit Silvers hard jarring the ball loose. An alert Cody Baker scooped up the ball and returned it 52 yards into the endzone for what would end up being the game winning Touchdown.
"I just happend to be there at the right time" said Smith "There was no way I was going to get the ball so I just ducked my head and hit him as hard as I could" Laswell doing is best Adrian Peterson impersination bulldozed through a Brownstown defender for the 2-Point Conversion.
The Braves got their passing game going late as they marched the field in a less than two minutes to score on a Shoemaker to Spencer Allman pass but on the ensuing kickoff Ram Trevor Axsom recovered the onside kick and The Rams used runs by Laswell to run out the clock and secure the Rams victory.
The Rams will host Evansville Mater Dei next Friday for the Regional Trophy
Rams players Garrett Shepard and Jose Nunez combined are close
to setting the record for most extra points made in a season...Shepard has an outside shot of setting the individual record of 39 kicks made set in 2008 by Kris Molina.
With The Paoli Rams' shutout of Eastern Greene they set the school record for shutouts in a season with their 6th shutout
***RAMS STAY AT TO #3 IN LATEST AP POLL***
The Paoli Rams stayed at the #3 spot in the latest Associated Press 2A Poll The Rams also retained thier 3 first place votes from the previous poll
ASSOCIATED PRESS CLASS 2A POLL FOR 10-13-09
CLASS 2A
1. Indianapolis Ritter (9) 7-1 230,
2. Monrovia 8-0 184,
3. Paoli (3) 8-0 180,
4. South Spencer 7-1 146,
5. Wheeler 8-0 130,
6. Heritage Christian 6-2 106,
7. Fairfield 7-1 104,
8. Southridge 5-3 54,
9. Fort Wayne Luers 4-4 32,
10. Centerville 8-0 30.
***RAMS DO GOOD AT 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT***
At the Indianapolis Colts 7 on 7 Tournament of Champions The Paoli Rams finished in 2nd in pool play and fell 31-17 to Ft. Wayne Harding in the tourney. The Rams defeated 2A State Champion Heritage Christian 27-21, defeated 1A State Champion Indianapolis Ritter 27-7 and fell to 3A State Runner-Up Evansville Memorial 27-7. Rams team members who participated are as follows:
#2 Brian Wilson
#4 Trevor Axsom
#5 Caleb Andry
#10 Logan Laswell
#17 Jacob Randolph
#21 Colton Phelps
#27 Garrett Shepard
#28 Channing Kameda
#51 Cody Baker
#65 Cody Raymer
#81 Logan Jones
#88 Devin Rutherford
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2008 SEASON
***LASWELL NAMED PRIME TIME 25 PLAYER***
Paoli Rams Junior Quarterback Logan Laswell was named a Prime Time Top 25 players heading into the 2009 Football Season by the Indiana Football Digest Laswell along with the other 24 Prime Time Players gathered at the Indianapolis Colts complex March 29th to get thier pictures taken for the cover of the Indiana Football Digest Magazine.
Paoli will be featured in the magazine and Laswell along wiht 9 other of his teammates will have their pictures in the Paoli Section of the Magazine
****BALSMEYER NAMED 2008 INDIANA 2A COACH OF THE YEAR***
Paoli Rams head football coach was named the Motoroloa Indiana Class 2A Coach of the year for the 2008 football season with this recognition he also recieved a $1,000 check from the Indianapolis Colts to go towards the football program Balsmeyer will also serve as an assistant coach on the North/South All-Star game
***3 RAMS NAMED ALL-STATE HONRABLE MENTION***
Three Paoli Rams Football Players were named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team for the 2008 Football Season
Logan Laswell Quarterback- Was the leading Rusher and passer for the Rams was named honorbale mention as a Quarterback and is in the running to be All-State next season
Tyler Dillard Defensive Tackle- Was recognized as a member of the honorbale mention team after leading the team in sacks for the 2008 season
Cody Baker Linebacker- Baker was the first 2A Linebacker mentioned on the honorbale mention team for linebackers after leading the team in tackles for the season
***8 RAMS NAMED PLAC ALL-CONFERENCE***
8 Paoli Rams Football Players were named PLAC All-Conference for the 2008 Football Season. Being Recognized as All-Conference members were:
Drew Owen- Offensive Line
Ethan White- Punter
Logan Laswell- Defensive Back
Tyler Dillard- Runningback
Cody Raymer- Linebacker
Cody Baker- Linebacker
Tate Smith- Reciever
****RAMS FALL SHORT OF A SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LOSING 28-21 TO BROWNSTOWN***
BROWNSTOWN — The Brownstown Central Braves and Paoli Rams have each had their share of big plays over the course of the 2008 football season and each continued that trend Friday night in the Sectional 31 championship game at Blevins Memorial Stadium.
The Rams, who hadn’t found themselves in a close game since their Week 1 victory over Salem, fought to the bitter end, but it was the Braves who made one more play to claim their fourth sectional title in the last six years with a 28-21 victory.
Paoli coach Brian Balsmeyer, who has led a dramatic turnaround in the program the past two seasons, was pleased with his club’s effort, but he was by no means satisfied with the outcome.
“It’s progress,” Balsmeyer said. “But what these kids have got to understand is we haven’t proven to be a champion yet. We were in a position to win the championship in the conference and we didn’t do that and we were in a position to win the championship here in the sectional and we failed to do that. Those are two important goals that we have and as a program or a community we can’t be satisfied.
“Moral victories aren’t going to get you anywhere. We’ve had a good turnaround, but we’ve got to pick it up and continue to get better and improve our game.”
After breaking a 21-21 tie with a touchdown late in the third quarter, the Brownstown defense came up with the biggest play of the night, keeping the Rams at bay four times from inside the 10-yard line with just over five minutes left in the game. Paoli quarterback Logan Laswell, who carried the load all night for the Rams, picked up six yards on first and second down, was stopped cold on third down and could not find an open receiver on fourth and goal from the four-yard line as the Braves rose to the occasion to preserve the win.
“They’ve got a heck of a football team and their offensive scheme gave us fits,” Brownstown coach Reed May said. “I bet we made four adjustments during the game just to try and figure out how to slow them down. Laswell is a heck of a runner and their fullbacks do a great job. Luckily we were able to stop them down here on the goal line and then we were able to pound them. But I commend coach for his offensive scheme. He does a great job with what they do.”
The Braves drew first blood midway through the opening period, going 78 yards on 10 plays for the first score. Senior running backs Blaze Hurley and Teddy Stucker did the bulk of the work, with Hurley taking a shovel pass from Cam Cockerham and rambling 38 yards before Stucker went in from a yard out at the 5:08 mark.
The Rams answered with a 19-play drive that covered 82 yards and chewed up more than eight minutes of the first and second quarters. Laswell carried the ball 11 times for 61 of the yards, including a fake punt that kept the drive alive. A quarterback sneak and an extra point by Kris Molina tied the game at seven with 8:53 left in the half.
Both defenses came up with big stops before intermission, but Cockerham hooked up with Coley Brown on a 42-yard pass play that set up a five-yard scoring scamper by Hurley that gave Brownstown a 14-7 lead with 37.3 left.
Not to be outdone, the Rams went to the air themselves. Laswell hit Tate Smith in the flat to move the ball into Brownstown territory and a face mask penalty added another 15 yards before Laswell ripped off a 20-yard run to set up the tying score. On second and goal from the 10-yard line, Laswell lofted a ball into the corner of the end zone and Smith hauled it in to knot the game at 14 with :01.8 on the clock.
“We felt we could get at least three plays out of the time we had,” Balsmeyer said of the final possession. “So we knew we had to run the fade route and it worked out. They were manned up on us, taking away the inside, so that’s what they gave us and we made the play.”
Tyler Dillard caught Hurley in the backfield to help the Rams’ defense come up with a big stop at the outset of the second half and the Paoli offense responded with a five-play drive that culminated with a 44-yard touchdown run by Laswell that gave the Rams their first lead of the night with 8:17 left in the third.
“He’s a competitor,” Balsmeyer said of Laswell. “He hates to lose more than anything in this world and that’s why he’s successful in all his athletics. He came to play tonight and you can’t ask for anything more.”
Cockerham completed three of five passes for 36 yards to set up a one-yard scoring run by Stucker at the 5:36 mark and Hurley went in from four-yards out with 2:33 left in the third to regain the lead for the Braves. Stucker finished with 152 yards, while Hurley added an even 100 on 16 carries as Brownstown improved to 10-1.
Laswell carried the ball 34 times for 228 yards against the Braves, who put 11 men in the box early on before the Rams went to their spread offense and worked the middle of the field.
“That’s about all we could do the way they were playing us,” Balsmeyer said of his offense. “We knew their outside backers, Stucker and Hurley, they’re tough guys and they’re so fast defensively. We felt our best shot was to run right at them and get after it. So that’s what we did. We kept pounding and tried to do it well enough that we could get some yards.”
The Rams, who were 0-10 just two years ago, finished with a 10-2 record.
“We’ve still got some things to work on,” Balsmeyer said. “We’re inching, but it’s a process and we’ve got to just keep plugging along. The kids fought to the end, but unfortunately we’re just not quite close enough yet.”
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****RAMS ADVANCE TO SECTIONAL FINALS AFTER DOMINATING VICTORY OVER MITCHELL***
PAOLI — Friday night’s Sectional 31 semifinal played out like a bad horror film for the Mitchell Bluejackets, who ran out of tricks early and watched as the Paoli Rams treated their fans to an offensive show on Halloween night.
In a game that saw junior quarterback Logan Laswell go over 1,000 yards rushing and also set a new single-season mark for touchdown passes, the Rams rolled to a 58-0 victory to advance to next week’s sectional final at Brownstown.
Paoli racked up 329 yards on the ground (172 by Laswell) and another 163 through the air, en route to a new high-water mark for wins in a season with 10 in 11 outings.
As well as his offense played, Paoli coach Brian Balsmeyer was just as pleased with the defense, which pitched a shutout for just the second time this season.
“I’m real proud of the kids,” Balsmeyer said. “They came out and played hard. We’ve talked about defensively, if we’re going to advance, we’re going to have to play better defense than we’ve been playing. We played well tonight, and we want that attitude to continue.”
There were no ghouls to be found and the only gobblin was done by the Paoli offense, which went 78 yards on 18 plays, chewing up nearly eight minutes before putting up the first score of the contest. After methodically moving the ball down the field — thanks to some hard running from Tyler Dillard, Ethan White, Jacob Randolph and Laswell — the Rams used a 25-yard pass from Laswell to Randolph to move the ball inside the five-yard line.
Mitchell senior Jamal Morgan came up with a pair of big hits and the remainder of the Mitchell defense stiffened to force a fourth-down play, but Laswell found Randolph again for the score with 4:09 left on the clock.
“We wanted the ball, because we felt we could score,” Balsmeyer said. “With the way we did it, we shortened the game and their kids were playing offense, too, so we thought we could wear them out. We kept running and running, so it was good.”
Mitchell coach Todd Tanksley was happy to see his club stand its ground and force the Rams to pull out all the stops to find the end zone.
“That was fine with us,” Tanksley said. “We wanted to shorten the game with long drives that chewed clock on their part and on our part and I thought our defense really stepped up and played well in that first quarter, especially on that first drive. We were bending but not breaking. We didn’t give up the big play, but we just have to get better at putting a stop to it when things start getting away from us.”
The Jacket offense failed to convert a first down until late in the first half, and the defense paid the price as the Rams got a four-yard TD run from Dillard and a 27-yard dash from Laswell to build a 22-0 lead at the half.
“In that first quarter especially, I thought our game plan was going exactly how we had envisioned it,” Tanksley said. “We were thinking 7-0 or maybe 7-7 early in the game and hopefully we could keep it there and see what happened in the second half. But we made a couple silly mistakes there in the second quarter and gave them a couple scores and went in 22-0. Then in the second half it just got away from us.”
After controlling the ball and the clock in the first half, the Rams wasted no time extending their lead in the third quarter. Laswell scored from seven-yards out less than three minutes in, then hooked up with Tate Smith on an eight-yard scoring strike that gave him a new school record of 20 for the season.
“I hate to single out anyone,” Balsmeyer said. “There are a lot of linemen that have a lot to do with that, but he’s a pretty special player. He does a great job with the offense and we’re pleased we’ve got that. But we’ve got a lot of guys running hard and it’s good that we’ve got a lot of people involved. Those guys up front have done a great job and continue to work to get better, so we’re real proud of them.”
The Jackets muffed the ensuing kickoff and Laswell found Smith down the sideline for a 40-yard gain before adding a 23-yard TD run that was capped off by a Randolph block at the 10-yard line, giving the Rams a 44-0 lead with 5:37 left in the third quarter.
“We’re real pleased with our offense,” Balsmeyer said. “It’s done a good job all year. We’ve got some kids that are able to understand what we’re trying to accomplish and get it done.
“We had kids step up and make plays when they needed to and this is the time of year to do that. So we’re proud of the kids for the way they responded and the way they came out in the second half.”
Mitchell managed a first down early in the fourth quarter when junior Jordan Randolph broke free up the middle and rambled for 21 yards, but Paoli sophomore Caleb Andry came up with an interception three plays later and freshman Brian Wilson scampered in from 29-yards out to make it 51-0 with 8:20 left.
Thomas Isom had a fourth-quarter interception for the Jackets, but Mitchell committed four turnovers in the final nine minutes to finish the season with a 2-9 record.
“Give Paoli credit,” Tanksley said. “They’re a good football team. They’ve done the work in the offseason. They’re well prepared and they’re strong kids and hopefully our underclassmen that were here tonight understand that we have to do the work in the offseason if we’re going to compete at this level.”
The Rams (10-1) will head to Brownstown to take on the 11th-ranked Braves (9-1) in the sectional final Friday.
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***Paoli Rams Ranked in the Top 10 in 2A Football for first time since 1997***
ASSOCIATED PRESS CLASS 2A FOOTBALL POLL FOR 10-15-08
1. Heritage Christian (8-0)
defeated Park Tudor, 48-7
at Indianapolis Ritter (8-0) Friday
2. Fairfield (8-0)
defeated Churubusco, 41-30
at Culver Academy (4-4) Friday
3. North Putnam (8-0)
defeated Speedway, 35-32
at Cloverdale (2-6) Friday
4. Fort Wayne Luers (6-2)
defeated Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 40-0
vs. Fort Wayne Dwenger (8-0) Friday
5. Lewis Cass (7-1)
defeated Maconaquah, 69-0
vs. Western (8-0) Friday
6. Oak Hill (8-0)
defeated Blackford, 14-7
at Elwood (2-6) Friday
7. Southridge (7-1)
defeated Pike Central, 41-6
at Gibson Southern (4-4) Friday
8. Jimtown (6-2)
defeated Bremen, 17-7
vs. Triton (5-3) Friday
9. Wheeler (8-0)
defeated Hammond Noll, 59-27
vs. Calumet (7-1) Friday
10. Paoli (8-0)
defeated Eastern Greene, 49-24
vs. Perry Central (8-0) Friday
***LASWELL AND BAKER AMONG STATE LEADERS***
Paoli Junior Quarterback Logan Laswell is in the top 50 in the state of Indiana in rushing yards.
Paoli Junior Linebacker Cody Baker is also among the state leaders in tackles.
***RAMS TO FACE EASTERN (GREENE) IN SECTIONAL
The Paoli rams drew the Eastern (Greene) Thunderbirds for their forst round sectional opponent in the 2008 IHSAA playoffs. The Rams couldn't have asked for a better draw if they defeat Eastern (Greene) they will face the winner of Eastern Pekin (0-7) and Mitchell (1-6) with a chance to go into the sectional Finals
***RAMS RETURN TO GLORY**
PAOLI — When Brian Balsmeyer arrived in Paoli three years ago he had a tough sell on his hands. He had to peddle Paoli football to the school’s best athletes, and that wasn’t exactly as easy as selling Sarah Palin posters at an NRA convention.
The Rams, after all, had nearly been 0-for-the-2000s. That’s a tad of an exaggeration, but Paoli football was a mere 11-40 since 2000 and there were two 0-10 campaigns in there.
It took some big Balsmeyers to take over such a wreck, but the hulking Brian and his brother, Mark, came to the rescue. Brian came in from the legendary program at Jasper, where he’d been an assistant. His ego took an immediate smackdown after Paoli endured one last 0-10 season in 2006, but then came a 6-5 mark in 2007, and now the Rams are soaring at 6-0 and close to cracking the Top 10 in the Class 2A rankings. Paoli will be big favorites to clip Corydon this week and down Eastern Greene in Week 8, which means they would head into the regular-season finale against Perry Central unbeaten. Both teams would likely be undefeated and each 4-0 in the PLAC.
The Paoli athletes, and its populace, are sold.
“At 0-10 that first year, it was questionable whether or not it was going to happen,” Balsmeyer said, managing a chuckle. “But we kept plugging away and now we’re getting there. Credit that to the kids for buying into the system and working hard to get there.
“We had some talent, but we had to get them to believe in us and believe in themselves.
“That first year I tried to do too much. I was coming from Jasper and my ego told me I was going to come in here and save it and turn it around the very first year. So we’ve had to learn along with the kids, and my assistants have done a great job of coaching these guys.
“Coach (Wes) Whitfield, coach (Derek) Newkirk and my brother, Mark (who has since moved on) did a great job last year of getting the offense going, and now we’ve added R.J. Hartsfield (the former Salem and Franklin College star) in Mark’s place, and he’s full of energy.
“And coach (Aaron) Hannan and coach (Billy) Vincent and myself are doing the defense, so we’ve got three offensive coaches and three defensive coaches, and we know our responsibilities and get the job done.
“But the biggest thing is the kids buying in and the work ethic from them has vastly improved. We have a poster that charts our summer workouts, and we set the criteria at 80 percent the first year and only had 10 kids meet it. Then we moved it to 90 percent our second season and had 13 kids make it.
“This year we kept it at 90 percent and had 33 kids meet it, and that shows you if you put in the time good things are going to happen. Last year’s seniors made the choice that they were going to work and compete and win, and they did it. Then the kids started believing. It’s a mindset. Early on people asked me the difference between Jasper and here, and I say that the kids at Jasper expect to win and the kids at Paoli hope to win.
“Now the kids at Paoli are starting to expect good things when they step on the field.”
The Rams are averaging 40.3 points per game and giving up just 13.8 per game, and as one coach once put it, it isn’t always about the Xs and Os, sometimes it’s about the Jimmys and Joes. Good players make the schemes work, and the Rams have them starting with junior quarterback Logan Laswell, who has Balsmeyer’s option attack humming.
Laswell leads the Rams in rushing with 69 carries for 550 yards and six touchdowns, and also has passed for 740 yards and 12 TDs with only one interception while completing over 60% of his passes. For good measure, he averages 38.5 yards a punt, and all those statistics have him on the state leaderboards.
“Logan has a lot of the intangibles that make a good leader,” Balsmeyer said. “He’s intelligent and he’s a competitor who hates to lose. We put a lot on his shoulders, but he does a great job of running the offense and making good decisions.
“We have our quarterbacks learning the system and learning to make decisions at the line of scrimmage, not only with Laswell, but all of our younger kids, right down to the youth program. They do exactly what we do on Friday nights, and hopefully it will continue to pay off.”
Laswell has offensive help from Tyler Dillard, who has rushed for 479 yards and six TDs on 56 carries, while wide receiver Tate Smith has 364 yards and eight scores on 18 receptions. Ethan White has 227 rushing yards and Josh Reef adds 213.
The defense is led by linebacker Cody Baker who leads the team in tackles while Dillard has 11.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks from his nose guard spot.
Paoli should print a bunch of yard signs that say, “Rams Football” on them and have a big SOLD! stamp across them.
“We’ve gone from being in just one game our first year to being in every game and now, so far, winning every game this year,” Balsmeyer said. “Our defense is tough and fast, which is what I want on the field on defense, kids who can go get the ball. Our offense is versatile and tough to read, which makes it pretty hard to stop.
“We have to thank last year’s senior a lot because they could’ve easily said, ‘Playing Paoli football isn’t really cool, isn’t the thing to do,’ but they did it and did it well, and now we’re having some success. But we’re only as good as our next game, and that’s how we play it each week, like we’re 0-0 and scratching and clawing for our first win
“It would be nice for the fans and players if we can get these next two wins and be undefeated for Perry Central. It would be a nice night of football for everybody, but no matter what, I think there’s a lot of pride back in Paoli football.”
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***THE RAMS ARE ON RECORD SCORING PACE
With the Rams off to a 4-0 start and scoring 40 or more points in the last 3 games and in 3 of the first 4 games it puts them at a 157-139 points scoring advantage over the 1997 team through 4 games....on the flip side through 4 games in the 1997 That Rams teams only surrendered 12 points and were coming off of 3 straight shutouts...compared to the Rams who against North Harrison gave up that many points in one game
******With The Rams beating Salem and starting the season 1-0 it's the first time since 1997 they have started 1-0 in which the Rams went on to win 9 straight games...I also belivee it's is only the 3rd or 4th time since 1987 that The Rams have won at Salem.
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****WARNER AND ROBINSON RECIEVE MORE RECOGNITION
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner and Senior Defensive back Daniel Robinson were named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team for the 2007 Football Season
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****RAMS FOOTBALL AWARDS NIGHT
The Paoli Rams Coaches hoored the 2007 Footbal; Team with the Annual Football Awards banquet followig are those who recieved awards at the banquet:
Tyler Dillard: Defensive Lineman, Defensive Production Award
Ben White: Superman Award
Matt Warner: Capatian's Award, PLAC All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention, Red Zone Player of the Year Nominee, Most Valuable Player
Dylan Long: Mental Attitude Award
Andrea Saponaro: Special Teams Award
Daniel Robinson: Pancake Award, Defensive Back Award, Captain's Award, PLAC All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention, Academic All-State, Hammer Award (Hardest Hitter)
Jordan Cole: Offensive Lineman
Caleb Andry: JV Defensive MVP
Logan Laswell: Offensive Production, Offensive Back award
Scotty Tedrow: Mental Attitude
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***WARNER,ROBINSON,COLE,DILLARD ,LASWELL RECIEVE STATE RECOGNITION
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner was named to the Bloomington Herald Times All-State Honorable Mention team as a Linebacker for the 2007 Season. Warner led the Rams in tackles for the 2007 season.
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Daniel Robinson was named to the Bloomington Herald Times All-State Honorable Mention team as a Defensive Back for the 2007 Football Season. Robinson was one of the top Defensive Backs for the Rams in 2007 and had alot of solo tackles as a DB.
Paoli Rams Sophomore Offensive Lineman Jordan Cole was named to the Bloomigotn Herald Times Junior All-State Honorable Mention Team as a Sophomore. Cole was one of the better Lineman in the PLAC and was one of The Rams Best Lineman.
Paoli Rams Sophomore Defensive Lineman Tyler Dillard was named to the Bloomington Herald Times Junior All-State Team as a Sophomore. Dillard led the Rams in sacks for the 2007 season was named PLAC All-Conference.
Paoli Rams Junior Quarterback Logan Laswell was named to the Bloomington Herald Times Junior All-State Team as a Sophomore. Laswell completed over 50 % of his passes for the 2007 season and was one of the leading rushers for the Rams
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***WARNER,ROBINSON AND DILLARD NAMED PLAC ALL-CONFERENCE
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner, Senior Defensive Back Daniel Robinson and Sophomore Defensive Lineman Tyler Dillard were named to the Patoka Lake Athletic Conference (PLAC) All-Conference team for the 2007 Football Season. Warner was the leader on defense leading the team in tackles....Robinson was one of the better defensive backs on the team racking up alot of individual tackles....Dillard was the star Defensive Lineman leading the team in sacks.
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****GOODMAN & WARNER AMONG STATE LEADERS
Rams Senior Punter Joe Goodman is once again among the state leaders in punting...Goodman was All-State Hinorable Mnetion as a punter last season
Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner is among the state leaders in tackles for the 2007 Football Season
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The Shool Board extended Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer's contract through the 2009 Football Season and through the 2009-2010 school year
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Some Did You Knows? about Paoli Football
Did you know that when the Paoli Rams defeated Perry Central in 2009 in came 10 years to the game of their last win against Perry Central and their last Conference Championship which both happens in 1999.
Did you know that Paoli Rams Quarterback Logan Laswell started at Quarterback in his first Sectional Game as a Freshmen in 2006 at South Spencer?
Did you know The Paoli Rams are the last team to shut out the Brownstown Braves in a game that occured back in the 1997 season when Paoli defeated Brownstown 53-0?
Did you know former Paoli Runningback Tyler White rushed for at least one yard in all of his varsity football games he competed in?
Did you know that the Paoli Rams outscored North Daviess 187-12 over a 5 year period? The Wins for Paol occurred from 1986-1990 and (the scores were: 33-12, 49-0, 64-0, 16-0, 27-0)?
Did you know that prior to winning a Sectional game in 2007 the last time the Rams won a Sectional game was in 1998?
Did you know current Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer once played in the Arena Football League?
Did you know that the Rams are 7-4 against the Mitchell Bluejackets in their last 11 meetings?
Did you know that former Ram player David McDonald played half a season in 1997 with a torn MCL?
Did you know that former Rams player David McDonald played major minutes at Linebakcer his Freshmen season?
Did you know that during the 2000 football season former Paoli Quarterback Josh Stevens would bruise his MCL but return 2 weeks later to lead the football team?
Did you know that former Ram player Michael Harmon was the starting Quarterback during the Rams 9-1 1997 season but was one of the star runningbacks for the Rams during the 1998 season?
Did you know that former Rams player Michael Harmon is the only Rams player to Rush for 100 yards and pass for 100 yards in the same game? It happedn during a game against Brownstown in 1997.
Did you know that former Ram player Josh Stevens was one of the main receiving threats in 1999 but was the starting Quarterback in 2000?
Did you know that former Rams player Josh Stevens is the only player in Rams history to return a punt 90 yards for a Touchdown and rush for a 98 yard touchdown? He accomplished the feat against Mitchell in 2000.
Did you know that former Rams player Josh Stevens is the only Rams player to Return a Punt for A Touchdown, Throw A Touchdown Pass and Run for a Touchdown? It all happend in a game against Mitchell in 2000
Did you know that Former Indiana All-Star LB Kyle Nichols started at Runningback in his first ever varsity football ever which was aginst Mitchell in 1996?
Did you know that in Former Rams Star Kyle Nichols first game at Runningback against Mitchell he rushed for 211 yards?
Did you know during the Rams remarkable 1997 season it took the Rams 6 weeks to score their first passing touchdown?
Did you know that during the Rams remarkable season in a game against Brownstown it was the only time a Rams team has had 3 plays of 90 or more yards go for touchdowns? the plays were a 98 yard run, a 97 yard run and a 91 yard pass all for touchdowns.
Did you know that also during a game against Brownstown in 1997 that the Rams had 5 or more plays go at least 66 yards for a Touchdown?
Did you know that in 1979 Former Ram Head Coach Tom Anderson became the first Ram coach to coach in the annual North/South All Star game as he was the Head Coach of the South All-Stars not only was he the first Ram coach but he was also the first coach to achieve this in the Mid South Conference and Class 1A?
Did you know that in 1997 the 9-1 Paoli Ram Football team had more rushing yards in one season (3,621) than Tyler White did in his entire career (3,273)?
Did you know that in 1998 Rebecca Florence became the Only Female in Paoli Football History to play Varsity Football?
Did you know that former Ram players Rebecca Florence (1998) and Aaron Florence (1994-1997) became the first brother/sister players to suit up for the Rams?
Did you know former Paoli Star Runningback Aaron Florence started on defense his freshmen year?
Did you know that the first season of football that the Paoli Rams didn't play a home game at Cook Field? They played their home games in the outfield of Jaycee Park's Softball Field?
Did you know that Mitchell was the very first football team that Paoli played?
Did you know that Springs Valley was the first away team to travel to Paoli to play a football game?
Did you know that in 1962 Paoli defeated Springs Valley 13-6 for their very first football win?
Did you know that Bob Walls scored the very first touchdown in Paoli Rams football history?
Did you know that John Cook scored the first home Touchdown in Paoli Rams football history?
]
updated 12-4-22
. During the 2022 Paoli Football Season Junior Fullback Trey Rominger broke the single season rushing record and also set the career rushing record for the Paoli Football
8-20-21 at Boonville
8-27-21 at Corydon
9-3-21 vs. Springs Valley
9-10-21 at. Perry Central
9-17-21 vs. West Washington
9-24-21 vs. Eastern Greene
10-1-21 at. Crawford County
10-8-21 at. Mitchell
10-15-21 vs. North Knox
PAOLI Junior Trey Rominger was named to the 2022 IFCA 1st Team Junior All-State Team as a Linebacker
***GLESING NEW PAOLI FOOTBALL COACH***
PAOLI HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCED ON MATCH 21,2019 THAT BRIAN GLESING FORMER HEAD COACH AT FLOYD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND JEFFERSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WILL REPLACE JEREMY LOWERY AS PAOLI RAMS HEAD VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH STARTING WITH THE 2019 FOOTBALL EASON***
****CONGRATULATIONS PAOLI RAMS 2018 IHSAA SECTIONAL 39 CHAMPIONS!***
Paoli Rams Quarterback Ty Lawson was named to the Indiana North/South All-Star Football Team for the 2018 season
Paoli Senior Punter Tyler Smith was named to the Indiana AP 2A 1st team All State team as a punter for the 2017 season
Paoli Junior QB Ty Lawson, OL Michael Campbell and Ian Strange were named AP Class 2A All State Honorable Mesntion
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***LOWERY NAMED NEW PAOLI HEAD FOOTBALL COACH***
On 2-13-17 The Paoli School Board named Paoli Rams assistant coach Jeremy Lowery as it's next head varsity football coach... Lowery was the Offensive Coordinator during Paoli's run to the 2013 Semi-State before joining the Paoli Football staff he was an assistant coach at Salem for 10 years he played football at Western Kentucky and is a graduate of Penn high school...
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on December 5th, 2016 Brian Balsmeyer head coach put in his resignation as head football coach of the Paoli Rams it ended a 10 year run that resurrected the Paoli Rams Football program into one of 2A's best winning 2 regional championships in 2009 and 2013 Coach Balsmetyer has 2 twin daughters playing volleyball at Alabama A&M college and a desire to watch them play and spend more time with his family is the main reasons he resigned from his post
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****SINCE IT'S THE END OF THE FOOTBALL SEASON BE SURE TO CHECKOUT THE PAOLI RAMS BASKETBALL WEBSITE AT WWW.LEAGUELINEUP.COM/PAOLIBBALL
****TOLEN NAMED GRIDDY ALL-STATE****
Paoli Senior QB Garrett Tolen was named to the Small School All-State team (Class 1A-3A) at the annual Griddy Awards for Indiana High School Football on March 20th, 2016
Paoli Rams Senior Quarterback Garrett tolen and Senior Defensive Lineman Carter Chastain were named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Class 2A All-State team for the 2015 Football season
In Franklin's 80-19 win over Earlham College former Paoli standout Lee Wroblewski had 3 receiving touchdown's from 39 yards, 52 yards and 50 yard touchdown receptions and former Paoli player Tanner Kameda had a 32 yard touchdown run for the final touchdown for Franklijn
former Paoli football stars Lee Wroblewski and Tanner Wroblewski are the starting split ends for the 2015 Franklin Grizzlies college football team not to be outdone another former Paoli player Tanner Kameda is receiving significant playing time as a halfback for Franklin
***PAOLI RAMS COMPETE AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 7ON 7***
For The 5th straight season the Paoli Rams football team were invited to compete June 20th at the Indianapolis Colts 7 on 7 tournament in Indianapolis results are:
Evansville Mater DEi 31 Paoli 14
Rensselear Central 35 Paoli 21
Pioneer 31 Paoli 0
6A Brownsburg 45 Paoli 7
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Cloverdale
Mitchell
Monrovia
North Putnam
PAOLI
South Vermillion
Southmont
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week 1 Evansville Central
week 2 Corydon Central
week 3 Springs Valley
week 4 Perry Central
week 5 West Washington
week 6 Greenwood
week 7 Crawford County
week 8 Mitchell
week 9 Indianapolis Washingtton
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Paoli Rams Junior Quarterback Garrett Tolen was named Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention at Quarterback for the 2014 football season he was also named to the IFCA Class 2A 1st team Junior All-state as a Defensive Back for the 2014 season
Ruger Gill was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as an Offensive Lineman for the 2014 season
Nate Burton was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as a receiver for the 2014 football season
Luke Becht was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention at runningback for the 2014 football season
Daniel Hutcheson was named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention at Linebacker for the 2014 football season
***PAOLI RANKED #7 In IFCA CLASS 2A PRESEASON POLL***
The Paoli Rams football team will start out the season ranked #7 in the 2014 IFCA Class 2A Football poll
IFCA Top 10 poll for 8-19-14:
1. Indianapolis Ritter
2. Lafayette Central Catholic
3. Evansville Mater Dei
Paoli Football competed at the Indianapolis Colts Tournament of Champions today (June 14, 2014) going 3-1. Won our pool and lost in first round of tournament. A good day of competing by the kids.
Team members competing in the 7 on 7 Tournament: Parker Gehl, Jared Crawford, Tyler Hooten, Michael Fullington, Luke Becht, Brett Balsmeyer, Garrett Tolen, Nate Burton, Todd Osborn, Garrett Vincent, Dawson Easterday, Tyler Smith, Dietrich Sears, Austin Moore, Ethan Bradshaw, Daniel Hutcheson, Chaz Becht
POOL PLAY
Paoli 27
Eastern Hancock 21 (2013 1A State Runner-up)
Paoli 17
Tri-Central 14 (2013 1A State Champion)
Paoli 24...
Evansville Memorial 21 (2008 and 2009 3A State Runner-up)
ROUND 1 OF TOURNAMENT
Paoli 17
Brownsburg 20 (2x State Champion)
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****2014 SEASON
WROBLEWSKI BROTHERS AND KAMEDA TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE
Paoli Senior Wide Receiver Tanner Wroblewski and senior runningback Tanner Kameda have signed to play college football for Franklin College and former Paoli Rams Quarterback Lee Wroblewski also signed to play for Franklin College starting in 2014 Tanner Wroblewski turned down numerous scholarship offers including as a prefered walk on at Purdue
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DID YOU KNOW?
Former Paoli Rams Football AND Basketball Standout Tim Eubank played college football at Tight End for Purdue University he was a two year starter at Tight End (1977-1978) and was voted Team Captain for the 1978 Football Season in which Purdue went 9-2 and won the Peach Bowl?
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****BROWNSTOWN BACK ON PAOLI FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR 2014****
The Paoli Rams Football team will bring back one of it's traditionally tough opponents as Brownstown will replace Salem on Paoli's 2014 football schedule The season opens up with Paoli playing Brownstown and then tragveling to 5A Evansville Central
PAOLI RAMS 2014 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
8-22-14 vs. Brownstown
8-29-14 at. Evansville Central
9-5-14 at. Springs Valley (Orange Bowl Game)
9-12-14 vs. Perry Central
9-19-14 at. West Washington
9-26-14 vs. Corydon
10-3-14 vs. Crawford County
10-10-14 vs. Mitchell
10-17-14 at. North Harrison
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****PAOLI RAMS MAKE SOUTH ALL-STAR FOOTBALL TEAM****
Paoli Rams Senior Wide Receiver Tanner Wroblewski was named to the Indiana North South All-Star Football team following the 2013 football season Tanner will be joined on the team by Head Coach Brian Balsmyer who will the the South teams Defensive Coordinator and water girls Hannah and Riley Balsmeyer
During the Griddy Awards on March 9th in Indianapolis The 2014 Jason Kuntz Badge of Courage Award was presented to Brett Balsmeyer This award was not only about overcoming adversity on the field of play, but more about the adversity he has overcome the last three years dealing with his mother's illness.
Monday, March 10
2014 Grange Insurance All-Star Football Classic
Friday, July 18, 2014 at North Central High School in Indianapolis. 7:00 pm kickoff.
Paoli Football will be represented by four Rams on the South Team
Tanner Wroblewski WR
Riley Balsmeyer, Manager
Hannah Balsmeyer, Manager
Brian Balsmeyer, Asst. Coach/Defensive Coordinator
***Paoli Rams Senior Wide Receiver Tanner Wroblewski and Senior Defensive back Tanner Kameda were named a IFCA Region 10 All-Star for the 2013 Football Season
****WROBLEWSKI AND ENGLAND NAMED IFCA FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE BALSMEYER AND GILL NAMED JUNIOR ALL-STATE****
Paoli Rams Senior Tanner Wroblewski was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) First Team All-State as a Wide Receiver for the 2013 Football season Tanner set every single season record for Receiving in Paoli football history not only that but he has the 9th best single season receiving yardage for a single season in IHSAA history
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Lineman Tristan England was named IFCA First Team All-State as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 football season Tristan lead the Rams in tackles this season
Paoli Junior Quarterback Brett Balsmeyer was named IFCA First Team Junior All-State as a Quarterback for the 2013 football season
Paoli Junior Defensive End Ruger Gill was named IFCA First Team Junior All-State as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 football season
****WROBLEWSKI NAMED 2013 2A AP ALL STATE DEFENSOVER BACK OTHJER RAMS RECEIVE RECOGNITION****
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Tanner Wroblewski was named to the 2013 Associated Press (AP) Class 2A First Team All-State as a defensive back for the 2013 season Tanner was a key contributor on defense and his 2 late 4th Quarter interceptions helped Paoli defeat Triton Central for their 3rd Sectional Championship
Other Rams receiving Recognition:
Brett Balsmeyer: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention at Quarterback for the 2013 football season Brett broke almost every Paoli passing record during the 2013 season
Garrett Strange: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable mention as a Wide Receiver for the 2013 football season
Jordan Cadle: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honortable Mention as an offensive Lineman for the 2013 football season
Ruger Gill: Was named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 Football Season
Tristan England: Was Named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention as a Defensive Lineman for the 2013 Football Season
Evan Jones: Was Named AP Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention As A Defensive Back for the 2013 Football Season
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****PAOLI RAMS 2013 CLASS 2A REGIONAL CHAMPIONS DEFEAT #6 SOUTHRIDGE 24-20****
PAOLI, IN — In the bedlam on the football field, in the immediate aftermath of an upset victory, Paoli football coach Brian Balsmeyer planted a kiss on his quarterback’s forehead. His son deserved it.
Brett Balsmeyer threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for the winning score with 3:06 left as the No. 12 Rams clipped No. 5 Southridge 24-20 in the Class 2-A regional at Cook Field on Friday night.
Paoli (11-2), with the second regional title in program history, advanced to meet No. 3 Indianapolis Ritter (11-2) in the semistate. Ritter will host the showdown game after conquering No. 4 Scecina 28-14.
Balsmeyer was accurate — only two of his passes hit the ground, although three ended in enemy hands — and tough when the circumstances demanded it. Nursing a sore right ankle, limping on his plant foot, he connected twice with star wideout Tanner Wroblewski on the go-ahead drive, then powered into the end zone from 5 yards.
Balsmeyer was 16 of 21 with three interceptions, with Wroblewski catching seven for 157 yards. None was bigger than the fourth-and-4 connection for 22 yards during the game’s signature drive.
“He has shown he’s a warrior,” Balsmeyer said of his junior quarterback, who was suffering from a high ankle sprain. “I couldn’t be prouder as a coach and as a father. He’s done the job.”
Paoli’s defense also earned a collective kiss, recording a shutout in the second half to give Balsmeyer and his offense shots at the comeback. The Raiders (10-3) got in the red zone three times in the third quarter and came up empty.
Turnovers, and Southridge’s relentless ground advances with its Wing-T attack, put the Rams in a dangerous hole.
Paoli struck first on its first possession, with Balsmeyer completing five passes — the biggest a 30-yarder to Wroblewski — to set up Luke Becht’s 2-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead.
The Raiders answered with a 60-yard, 11-play, sledgehammer drive. Connor Craig ripped off a 24-yard run, but the rest was in small bits and chunks. Luke Stetter capped it with a 3-yard pass to Brett Nordhoff for a 7-6 lead.
Southridge picked off its first interception on the next series. Safety Cody Thompson stepped under a floater after Wroblewski fell after a collision during his route, returning the theft 26 yards, and Craig cracked 13 yards for the touchdown.
The Rams ended a defenseless first quarter with another quick-strike score. Balsmeyer connected twice with Wroblewski and hit Austin Moore from 17 yards for the TD. For the second time, the extra point was wide, leaving Paoli working on a 14-12 deficit.
Southridge closed the half with what looked to be a turning-point score, killing the final 7:38 with a 16-play march. Craig converted a fourth down into a touchdown from 2 yards with 1.2 seconds left.
“There were a lot of nerves,” Wroblewski said. “Once we settled down, we executed. It was just playing football. At the end, we made a play to win the ballgame, and that’s all we needed.”
Balsmeyer hit Tanner Kameda with an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown to pull Paoli within 20-18 in the third quarter.
Craig finished with 92 yards rushing, but Southridge was stymied in the second half as Paoli had five sacks to dodge the Southridge scoring chances.
“You have to give them a lot of credit,” Southridge coach Scott Buening said. “They anted up and got a lot of stops when they needed to. They were able to get it done.”
Paoli won its other regional in 2009.
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****PAOLI RAMS 2013 CLASS 2A SECTIONAL 39 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS****
Paoli ran the clock down with four running plays, giving the ball back to the Tigers with 33 seconds left, but Nelson was picked off on the first play, again by Wroblewski.
Despite an inspired start by the Tigers in the first 31⁄2 minutes of the game, scoring both of their touchdowns in that stretch, the Rams regained their composure to pull within seven.
Three of the five touchdowns occurred in the first five minutes of the game.
The game started off kind of odd, but in Triton Central’s favor.
Jonah Thacker’s greatest contribution in the game came on the opening kickoff. He returned it 60 yards to the 21-yard line before being being brought down.
Paoli was called offsides on the first play and Thacker ran the ball twice for the first down.
Nelson then fumbled on the next play, but Holtz recovered the ball, and after trying to make a play, was brought down for a 20-yard loss.
On second-and-30, Nelson connected with Arbuckle for a 31-yard touchdown pass 2:09 into the game.
On the kickoff, the Tigers stripped the ball and Holtz recovered it, returning it for a touchdown for a quick 14-0 lead with 9:38 left in the first quarter.
But their fortunes quickly changed.
Paoli went on an 11-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a Brett Balsmeyer 25-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Wroblewski, his first of two in the game.
“We got up two touchdowns, but then we let them right back in with another score,” Able said. “It could have been 21-0 at halftime. It’s just one of those tough things. We talked about, this is the greatest game there is, and we’ve got to be ready to play each and every week. I don’t know. I’m lost for words. I’m kind of in shock right now myself.”
Triton Central had an opportunity on its fourth drive of the half to go into halftime with a 21-7 lead.
Thacker ran the ball six straight times, including an 11-yard run in which he bulldozed his way through the defense for the first down. The drive ended, however, when he fumbled at Paoli’s 18-yard line.
“We should have went in 21-7 and it’s a different game, different mindset, all of that,” Able said. “They were able to control our game. We had them figured out before the half, and we turned the ball over. When we didn’t get that third touchdown, we had plenty of time, we had them figured out, we got our plays rolling, and in the second half we started off good against them, but they adjusted to what we were doing. Their kids found a way to win, and we didn’t.”
Paoli’s aerial attack kept Triton Central’s defense on the field for long stretches the entire game.
The Rams finished with 263 passing yards, second-most given up by Triton Central’s defense in 2013, and 391 total yards, the third-most allowed.
Wroblewski finished with 12 receptions for 183 yards, including two touchdown receptions. The second tied the game on a 10-play, 73-yard drive, with 8:59 left in the third.
“They did a great job throwing the ball,” Able said. “That’s the only team all year that’s been able to throw on us. Everybody knew who (Balsmeyer) was throwing it to. He’s a great receiver.”
It was another touchdown pass, this one to senior Evan Jones, that gave Paoli the lead with 2:34 left in the third. Jones’ 5-yard catch on fourth-and-goal ended an 18-play drive.
“Other than Ritter, this is by far the best passing game we’ve seen,” Able said. “They had a good enough run game. We had to respect that, too, and they were able to make the plays, and we didn’t in key situations.”
Paoli (10-2) moves on to Regional to take on Southridge (10-2) who defeated #1 ranked Evansville Mater De 21-19 Friday Night
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****The above picture is taken of THE 2013 Paoli Rams Football Team As They gather around the Sectional Championship trophy for a team photo
****11-12-13 added the picture above and other stuff
****THE PAOLI RAMS 7TH AND 8TH GRADE FOOTBALL TEAM FINISHED WITH IDENTICAL UNDEFEATED 8-0 RECORDS**** Head Coach of the Junior High Teams is Adam Stroud
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****INDIANAPOLIS COLTS FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL COMING TO PAOLI****
Prior to Paoli's September 20th game vs. West Washington The Indianapolis Colts Friday Night Football Tour will be at Paoli
Each fall, the Indianapolis Colts travel around the state to feature marquee high school football matchups as part of the Friday Night Football Tour. At each stop on the Friday Night Football Tour, the Indianapolis Colts will make a $500 donation to each of the home team’s football and health/wellness programs on behalf of the Friday Night Football Tour sponsors.
The Tour begins one and a half (1.5) hours prior to kickoff. Friday Night Football Tour elements include Colts Cheerleader autographs, Quarterback Challenge football toss, Colts giveaways and fans may also register to win Colts tickets and prizes.
****PAOLI 10TH IN PRESEASON IFCA 2A POLL**
The Paoli Rams enter the 2013 Football Season ranked #10 in the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Preseason Class 2A Poll
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There will be a re-dedication of the Football Field in honor of John Cook on Friday September 20, 2013 before Paoli's home game against West Washington the Paoli Football Field was named in honor of John Cook in 1963 when John was the first Paoli resident to die in combat during the Vietnam War. John Cook was also a member of the first ever Paoli football team in 1962
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****PAOLI RAMS FOOTBALL PLAYERS GETTING LOOKED AT BY D-1 & D-2 SCHOOLS (NOW KNOWN AS FBS & FCS)****
In recent months several Paoli players have demonstrated their skills for college coaches.
Ruger Gill: Purdue University, Indiana State
Tanner Wroblewski: Indiana State, University of Cincinnati and Indiana University.
Tanner Kameda: University of Indianapolis, Indiana State
Garrett Strange, and Brett Balsmeyer: Indiana State
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Be sure to checkout the basketball site for The Rams at HTTP://WWW.LEAGUELINEUP.COM/PAOLIBBALL
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The Paoli Rams Football Team will be heading to Dalton, Georgia on July 13-14, 2013 to participate in the Southeastern Football 7 on 7 competotion
The Paoli Rams Football Team Competed in the 7 on 7 tournament held at the Indianapolis Colts practice facility earlier this month they went 1-3 losing to Indianapolis Ritter 28-21, defeating Northeastern 34-17, losing to an Evansville All-Star team 24-7 and losing to Columbus North 31-21
The Paoli Rams Football Team lead by Junior Quarterback Brett Balsmeyer won their pool in pool play at the Southeastern 7 on 7 Football Tournament held in Dalton , Georgia one of the teams the defeated were the 2012 North Carolinba independent Schools Athletic Association Division 3 State Champion in Victory Christian. "It was a great comepetition from top to bottom i've never seen anything like it, that is great for the kids they competed, had a good time, and lerarned" said Paoli Rams Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer
****SOUTHEASTERN 7 ON 7 RESULTS****
Paoli Rams 23 Victory Christian (North Carolina) 23
Paoli Rams 31 North Murray (Georgia) 18
Paoli Rams 28 Scotlandville (Louisiana) 24
Paoli Rams 18 Ridgeland (Georgia) 3
Fletcher (Florida) 19 Paoli Rams 3
Cedar Grove (Georgia) 28 Paoli Rams 22
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Tanner Wroblewski has been named on of The Indiana Football Digest's "Prime Time 25" Players heading into the 2013 Football Season.
Lee Wroblewski was named Indiana Football Digest's Small School All-State Team As A Defensive Back For The 2012 Football Season
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***NEW CLASS 2A 39 FOOTBALL SECTIONAL****
Clarksville
Crawford County
Eastern (Pekin)
Indianapolis Manual
Milan
Paoli
Providence
Triton Central
****PAOLI RAMS SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR 2013 FOOTBALL SEASON****
For the 2013 Football Season the Paoli Rams will drop Class 5A Evansville North from the schedule but will add Class 5A Power Evansville Central to the schedule...also The annual Orange Bowl game between Paoli and Springs Valley returns to the 3rd game of the season followed by Perry Central which moves up a few weeks in the schedule Mitchell drops down to the 8th game of the season and North Harrison finishes out the regular season schedule.
2013 Paoli Rams Football Schedule:
8-23-13 vs. Salem
8-30-13 vs. Evansville Central
9-6-13 vs. Springs Valley
9-13-13 at. Perry Central
9-20-13 vs. West Washington
9-27-13 at. Corydon
10-4-13 at. Crawford County
10-11-13 at. Mitchell
10-18-13 vs. North Harrison
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The Paoli Rams Football Team In The Summer of 2013 Will Compete In A Natoinal 7 on 7 Football Tournament To Be Held In The State Of georgia
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****2 RAMS PLAYERS NAMED IFCA ALL-STATE 2 RAMS PLAYERS NAMED IFCA JUNIOR ALL-STATE*****
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Lee Wroblewski and Senior Linebacker/Defensive End C.J. Andry were both named to the Indiana Football Coaches Associaton (IFCA) Class 2A All-State Team for the 2012 football season.
Paoli Rams Junior Defensive Lineman Tristan England and Junior Defensive Back Tanner Wroblewski were both named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) C;ass 2A Junior All-State Team for the 2012 football season
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****6 PAOLI RAMS FOOTBALL PLAYERS NAMED 2A ALL-STATE HONORABLE MENTION****
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Lee Wroblewski was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention team for the 2012 football season.
Paoli Rams Junior Defenseive Back Tanner Wroblewski was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team for the 2012 season Tanner led the team in interceptions for the 2012 season
Paoli Rams Senior Offensive Lineman C.J. Andry was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honoable Mention Team for the 2012 Football season
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive End Jon Clark was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team For the 2012 Football Season
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Josh Rice was named to the Associated Press C;ass 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team For the 2012 football Season.
Paoli Rams Junior Defensive Lineman Tristan England was named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honrable Mention Team For The 2012 Football Season.
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****8 PAOLI RAMS FOOTBALL TEAM MEMBERS NAMED P.L.A.C ALL-CONFERENCE****
Eight Paoli Rams Football Team Members were named to the Patoka Lake Athletic Conference 2012 All-Conference Football Team Those Rams Football team Members that Made The Team Were:
Lee Wroblewski: Quarterback
Travis Allen: Fullback
C.J. Andry: Center
Josh Rice: Linebacker
Dylan McClintock: Linebacker
Jon Clark Defensive End
Tyler Line: Cornerback
Aaron Key: Punter
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*****PAOLI HEADS TO THEIR 5TH CONSECUTIVE SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME DEFEAT TRITON CENTRAL 22-21 IN OVERTIME THRILLER****
FAIRLAND — Triton Central head coach Gabe Johnson and Tigers' fans held their breath as Paoli quarterback Lee Wroblewski found younger brother Tanner Wroblewski in the back of the endzone for the game-winning two-point conversion for a 22-21 overtime win Friday night.
The Rams entered Bud Mendenhall Field seeking revenge for a 2011 sectional championship game loss to the Tigers, who were undefeated at home this season and riding a four-game winning streak.
The opening minutes for the Rams were difficult ones -- bobbling the opening kickoff, punting on their first drive and watching Tigers' running back Jonah Thacker open up two solid runs for nine and 14 yards, respectively. Then, fortune took a swing.
Trey Miller ran a ball up the middle for an apparent first down when the Rams' defense got something on the ball, forcing a fumble and recovering to stop the Tigers' drive.
A four-minute, 71-yard drive followed. The end result was a 33-yard pass from one Wroblewski to another that gave the Rams the first score of the night.
While Triton Central seemed to dominate the stat sheet with another night of powerful running by Thacker, it also dominated the penalty count, several times negating first-down plays.
Midway through the second quarter, the Rams took over on downs after Defensive Lineman Jon Clark sacked TC quarterback Dillon Nelson, setting up their second scoring drive of the night.
Quarterback Lee Wroblewski was instrumental in the drive, making several runs for big yardage before finding Tanner Wroblewski again in the end zone, this time for an 18-yard touchdown.
"We didn't do ourselves any favors in the first half obviously," Johnson said. "We got down 14-0 and picked up a lot of penalties. It was a hole we had to dig ourselves out of and we did a little bit. Coming back out our kids responded very well. They played their hearts out in the second half and got themselves in a position to win."
And that they did. A much more disciplined Tigers team took the field in the second half.
The defense stepped up and forced the Rams to punt. A bad snap was disaster for Paoli when the punt attempt by Aaron Key was blocked by Derek Arbuckle and returned by Dylan Spivey.
That put the Tigers in excellent field position, allowing Dillon Nelson to pick up a one-yard touchdown score, sparking life into the defending sectional champions.
After a failed fourth-down conversion on the next Tigers drive, the defense was forced to come up big once again. The Rams drove 65 yards keyed by a big run by Lee Wroblewski but stalled at the TC 19-yard line. A 36-yard field goal attempt by Garrett Strange sailed wide right.
With 3:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, Dillon Nelson took over.
After connecting with T.J. Vannoy on fourth down for a 17-yard gain, Nelson found older brother Dakota Nelson on three consecutive plays, the last a 26-yard touchdown catch which forced the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Tigers made quick work of scoring, with Thacker scoring on a six-yard touchdown run. Garrett Himstedt added the extra point, and it was up to Paoli to keep the game going.
The Wroblewskis failed to connect on first down.
Lee Wroblewski followed with a 4-yard run that set up a Garrett Strange 6-yard touchdown run, leaving the score at 21-20. The extra-point kick would have forced a second overtime, but head coach Brian Balsmeyer elected to go for two points and the win.
That's when the Wroblewski’s sealed it for the Rams, ending the Tigers' season at 7-3.
Lawrenceburg will play at Paoli next Friday at 8:00 for the sectional crown
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****PAOLI DEFEATS PROVIDENCE 40-0 IN FIRST ROUND OF SECTIONAL****
PAOLI — The Providence football team found out a very important thing on Friday night at Cook Field — Paoli’s defense is as good as advertised.
The Rams held the Pioneers to 96 total yards, including 42 yards rushing, in posting their fourth shutout of the season, 40-0 in the first round of Class 2A Sectional 31. Paoli (8-2) will visit Triton Central, a 33-12 winner over Monrovia on Friday night, next Friday in the semifinals.
Entering the game, the Rams ranked 14th in the state and second in Class 2A in scoring defense, allowing 10 points per contest.
“Their front seven is very good and I can’t take anything away from their secondary,” said Pioneers’ coach Larry Denison, whose team got blanked for the second time in three games. “We wanted to try to throw a little bit and take it from there.”
Denison decided to rely on the arm of Providence quarterback Nathan Banet on Friday because his top four running backs were inactive because of injuries. That quartet included juniors Owen Mattingly and Ben Hauber, sophomore Matt Bell and senior Erron Hickerson. Hickerson, who also plays defensive back, was out with a high ankle sprain.
“I would have loved to played them at full strength,” said Denison, who also was without senior linemen Daniel Fernandez and Cameron Mitchell. “They were just a better team tonight.”
Banet struggled under center, completing only 6-of-27 passes for 54 yards and three interceptions. Junior Conner Johnson led the Pioneer running attack, gaining 26 yards on 10 carries.
“We knew it was going to be tough to run the ball against them,” Denison said.
The Rams needed only four running plays to score their first touchdown. On third-and-2 at the Providence 4-yard line, Paoli senior quarterback Lee Wroblewski ran 4 yards into the end zone to put Paoli up 7-0 with 8:51 left in the first quarter.
After the Pioneers (3-7) committed a 15-yard penalty for interfering with the Rams’ punt returner that placed the ball at the Paoli 49, Wroblewski hit Rams’ split end Tanner Wroblewski on a 47-yard pass along the right sideline to get the pigskin inside the Pioneer 5.
Then, senior fullback Travis Allen rumbled into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown to extend the advantage to 13-0 at the 7:06 mark of the first.
Following a Providence three-and-out, the Rams reached paydirt again in the opening stanza.
On fourth-and-an-inch at the Paoli 47, Lee Wroblewski appeared to be stopped at the Paoli 48 on a quarterback sneak. But the Rams’ signal-caller’s knee never went down, as he broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run to up the lead to 19-0. The advantage grew to 21-0 when Tanner Wroblewski caught a pass from Lee Wroblewski for the two-point conversion.
Paoli increased its lead to 27-0 when Allen scored his second 4-yard touchdown run on the night at the 11:31 mark of the second quarter.
Providence tried some trickery to keep its next drive alive.
On fourth-and-7 at the Paoli 48 and with the Pioneers lined up to punt, the ball got snapped to Banet, who was the upback. Banet executed the fake punt by completing a 20-yard pass to Johnson for a first down, moving the ball to the Paoli 28.
But Providence gained only 1 yard on the next four plays, turning the ball over on downs and creating no spark to its offense.
“We hoped it would spark us,” Denison said about the fake punt. “But Paoli responded well. I thought it would jump-start us.”
Paoli went up 34-0 with 21.9 seconds left in the first half, as Tanner Wroblewski caught a 1-yard TD pass from Lee Wroblewski.
The Rams’ final touchdown came in the final quarter, as Dylan McClintock had a 1-yard TD run with 10:41 left in regulation.
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****ATTENTION RAMS FANS***
In a tradition that started a few years back Paoli Rams Football would like to reach out to all of the Ram followers and fans out there who may come across this site to stay up to date on the progression of the Rams throughout the season so as in the past few years we would like to encourage anyone out there who would like to show their support for the program to use the forum (which you can access through the left column on the homepage) or leave a message or well wishes on the guestbook located at the top of the page after the activity the forum received last year and the support people showed whether positive or negative it showed everyone's passion for the Purple and Gold we encourage everyone to get involved and show support as The Rams look to go deep into the playoffs and make a run at a state championship in 2012
Thanks Again,
Rams Football
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****WROBLEWSKI NAMED 2A PRESEASEON ALL-STATE****
Paoli Senior Lee Wroblewski was named to the Indiana Football Digest's 2012 Class 2A Pre-Season All-State Team At Defensive Back heading Into The 2012 Football Season
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****INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON TAKES CRAWFORD COUNTY'S SPOT ON 2012 SCHEDULE***
After dropping their game against Crawford County on August 24th because of lack of players the Paoli Rams added the Indianapolis Washington Continentals to replace Crawford County for the August 24th game Indianapolis Washington is a Class 1A school out of Indianapolis
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2011 SEASON
****BRADBURY TO ATTEND INDIANA STATE FOR TRACK***
Paoli Rams Senior Offensive Lineman and Linebacker Zach Bradbury recently announced that he will attend Indiana State University on a Track and Field Scholarship he also plans to try and be a walk on gotr the Indiana State Football Team Bradbury turned down numerours small school offers for football because he wanted to stay close to home where he could study his furture passion of flying and Indiana State was on;y a few In State Colleges that offered Aviation Bradbury led The Rams in tackles this past football season he was also named AP All-State Honorable Mention At Offensive and Defensive Line
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****SANDERS AND AXSOM NAMED TO REGION 10 ALL-STAR TEAM****
Paoli rams Senior Teammates Garrett Sanders and Trevor Axsom were both named to the IFCA Region 10 All-Star Team for the 2011 season Sanders made the team as an offensive lineman and Axsom made the team as a defensive back.
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****3 RAMS NAMED IFCA ALL-STATE 1 NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-STATE***
3 Members of the 2011 Paoli Rams Football Team were named to the Indiana Football coaches Association (IFCA) Class 2A All-State Team for the 2011 Football Season Rams Receiving Those Honors Were:
Trevor Axsom: Was named to the IFCA 2A All-State Team As A Defensive Back for the 2011 season Axsom led the Rams in interceptions this season
Garrett Sanders: Was named to the IFCA 2A All-State as an Offensive Lineman Garrett was the starting Center for The Rams this past season
Lee Wroblewski: Was named to the IFCA 2A Junior All-State Team as a Defensive Back for the 2011 season Lee made a solid contribution at Defensive Back All Season for The Rams.
Joe Tuell: Was named to the IFCA Academic All-State Team For the 2011 season
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****AXSOM NAMED 2A ALL-STATE FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR OTHERS RECEIVE RECOGNITION***
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Trevor Axsom was named to the Associated Press (AP) Class 2A 1st Team All-State as a Defensive Back for the 2011 Football Season it was his second consecutive season being named to the 1st Team 2A All-State Team Axsom once again lead the Rams in interceptoins during the 2011 season.
Other Rams Receiving Honors:
Brian Wilson: Was named Honorable Mention All-State at Quarterback by The Associated Press Wilson almost rushed for 1,000 yards in 2011
Garrett Shepard: Was named Honorable Mention All-State at Runningback for the 2011 season by the Associated Press Shepard nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2011. Shepard also lead the Rams in rushing for the 2011 season
Zach Bradbury: Was Named 2A Honorable Mention All-State at Both Offensive Line and Linebacker by the Associated Press for the 2011 football season Bradbury lead the teams in tackles during the 2011 season.
Lee Wroblewski: Was Named 2A Honorable Mention All-State as a Defensive Back for the 2011 season by the Associated Press...Lee was one of they key contributors on defense for the Rams in 2011
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****9 RAMS NAMED PLAC ALL-CONFERENCE****
9 Members of the 2011 Patoka Lake Athletic (PLAC) Champions Paoli Rams Football Team were named to the P.L.A.C All-Conference Team for the 2011 Football Season reprsenting The Rams On the PLAC Team Are:
Garrett Sanders: Offensive Line
Colton Phelps: Wide Receiver
Trevor Axsom: Wide Receiver
Garrett Shepard: Fullback
Brian Wilson: Quarterback
Jose Nunez: Kicker
Zach Bradbury: Linebacker
Channing Kameda: Defensive Back
Lee Wroblewski: Defensive Back
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****BALSMEYER SET TO COACHING RECORD*** (Update)
After defeating the Monrovia Bulldogs Friday October 28th Paoli rams Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer collected his 47th win as Rams Head Coach making hin the all-time wins leader in Paoli Football history passing themark of 46 wins set by former coach Eldon Seacat
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****RAMS HEAD INTO 4TH CONSECUTIVE SECTIONAL FINALS DEFEAT MONROVIA 34-20***
The Paoli Rams will roll into their 4th consecutive Sectional Finals appearence after defeating Monrovia 34-20 in Sectional Semifinal Action Friday Night. The Rams started fast, taking the opening kickoff 54 yards on just 4 plays with Senio Quarterback Brian Wilson rambling the final 36 yards into the endzone. Garrett Shepard added the 2-Point Conversion to give Paoli a quick 8-0 lead.
"We were able to run the ball and get some points on the board early" said Paoli Coach Brian Balsmeyer "So it started off well we kind of lost the mojo for a little bit, but we were able to get it back and get the win we had a lot of kids step up tonight to help us get the job done."
Monrovia threatend to answer on it's first possesion The Bulldogs drove deep into Paoli territory before turning the ball over on a fumble into thw endzone. a Monrovia runningback fumbled right before he went into the endzone Rams Senior Defensive Back Trevor Axsom fell on the ball in the endzone for a touchback.
After the ball was spotted on the 20 for The Rams Senior Fullback Garrett Shepard busted out a big run for the Rams they woul cap off the scoring drive with a 1 yard Quarterback Sneak from Brian Wilson a Jose Nunez extra point made the game 15-0.
Monrovia finally got on the scoreboard with 2:47 left in the 2nd Quarter as they mounted a 16 play drive and it was capped off by Trea Dillon's 8 yard scamper. Paoli would answer in a 2-minute drill type offense and moved the ball quickly downfield as Brian Wilson would once again cap off the scoring drive with a 10 yard scoring run with 26 seconds left on the clock.
"That was a huge drive" said Balsmeyer "We had some big runs by Shepard and by Wilson an we were able to put up some points on the boaard before the half so that helped alot."
Monrovia came out in the 3rd Quarter and mounted a charge first on a 1 yard Touchdown run by Nick Fairfield then after Paoli's Channing Kameda fumbled the ball which Monrovia recovered Monrovia seemed like they had all the momentum as Austin Benjamin scored from 8 yards out but a big play at the time was the pass that was knocked down on the 2-point conversion attempt by Paoli's Lee Wroblewski to keep the Rams at a 2 point lead.
On their next possesion and with Monrovia having all of the momentum Paoli faced a 4th and 2 around midfield Wilson dropped back and found Senior Colton Phelps who went low to haul in a 7 yard reception to keep the drive going after the 4th down conversion it was the Wilson/Shepard show as the each took turns carrying the ball with Shepard with a big 23 yard run to set up the Rams with first and goal at the 2 yard line. Shepard would finish off the drive 2 plays later with a 1 yard touchdown dive up the middle.
Paoli's last score was the "Garrett Shepard Show" as the senior sealed the win with a nifty 28 yard scoring run after setting himself up for the 28 yard Touchdown Run with some long key runs on the drive. In a last ditch effort Monrovia Freshman Quarterback Dayton Clements threw up a hail mary pass that was intercepted by Trevor Axsom...The Rams will play Triton Central (6-5) who defeated Lawrenceburg 41-21 in the other Sectional Semifinal.
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***PAOLI RAMS YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAMS SCRIMMAGE AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM***
On Saturday September 4th The Paoli Rams Youth Football Teams took part in a scrimmage at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts the young Rams play in the PLAY (Patoka Lake Area Youth) football program which also includes the Springs Valley Blackhawks Youth Football teams and the Mitchell Blujackets Youth Football Teams The Paoli Rams Youth Football Team along with the other teams field teams from the 3rd to 6th grades all 3 teams participated in the scimmage Adam Burton is the president of the Paoli portion of the PLAY Youth Football League and also is a coach for one of the Paoli Rams Youth teams other Paoli Rams Youth Football Coaches Are: Mike England, Scott Kameda, Todd Merideth, Greg Hamilton, Casey Foye, Zach Patton, Terry Nicholson, James Beavers, Billy Chastain, Jim Gerkin, Dustin Ingle, Steve Lawson, Marty Minton, Clint Hoffman
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***RAMS LEADING THE STATE***
Heading into Week 3 of the 2011 football season the Paoli Rams are leading the entire state of Indiana in Scoring and Margain of Victory The Rams also rank 3rd in the state in Defense
Scoring: 71.0 ppg (1st)
Margain of Victory: 67.5 ppg (1st)
Defense: 3.5 ppg (3rd)
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****RAMS FINISH 3-2 IN 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT****
The Paoli Rams Football team traveld to Indianapolis to compete in the 32 team Indianapolis Colts/National Guard 7 on 7 Tournament at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center at the Colts' Complex in pool play The Rams lost to defending Class 2A State Champion Ft. Wayne Luers 21-0 they then went of to defeat Heritage Christian by a score of 35-31. In the final game of pool play the Rams made a defensive stop for a 21-20 victory over Indian Creek. When The Rams started in the main tournament they advanced by defeating Greenfield Central 37-21 The Rams' Tournament Hopes came to and end when Indianapolis Arlington defeated The Rams 23-17.
PAOLI RAMS 7 ON 7 TEAM MEMBERS:
Brian Wilson: Senior
Trevor Axsom: Senior
Colton Phelps: Senior
Garrett Shepard: Senior
Tyler Line: Junior
Lee Wroblewski: Junior
Travis Allen: Junior
Josh Rice: Junior
Aaron Key: Junior
Tanner Wroblewski: Sophomore
Garrett Strange: Sophomore
Tanner Kameda: Sophomore
Bryan Morrell: Sophomore
Austin Moore: Freshman
Brett Balsmeyer: Freshman
Mark Miles: Freshman
As Part of the 7 on 7 Tournament each team represented has the chance to enter the lineman challenge which includes such events as a Humvee push, Tractor Tire Flip, A Sled pull, A Farmers Walk where partcipants carry 100 pound bars, and a Straw Run where Lineman Carry bails of straw, The Rams entered the contest with Team Members Zach Bradbury, Garrett Sanders, Joe Tuell, Travis Allen, C.J. Andry and incoming Freshmam Mark Miles finishing 5th one spot away from making it to the finals
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****2011 SCHEDULE CHANGES INCLUDE GAME WITH EVANSVILLE NORTH****
The 2011 Paoli Rams Football Schedule has been released and one huge change is that the Rams will drop Eastern Greene from their schedule and add Class 5A Evansville North to the schedule in 2011 in doing so by adding Evansville North not only does it bring more competition from a bigger 5A school but also prepares the Rams for potential teams they could face in the tournamnet...besides the addition of Evansville North...Perry Central moves from the last game of the season and takes over Crawford County's spot as the 7th game of the schedule...as Crawford County is now the 2nd game on the schedule...North Harrison takes over Perry Central's place as the last regular season game...the annual "Orange Bowl" Rivalry game with Springs Valley will be moved back a week from the 3rd week of the season to the 4th game...as Crawford County is now the 2nd game on the schedule
Paoli Rams 2011 Football Schedule:
8-19-11 vs. Salem
8-26-11 at. Crawford County
9-2-11 at. Mitchell
9-9-11 vs. Springs Valley
9-16-11 at. West Washington
9-23-11 at. Corydon
9-30-11 at. Perry Central
10-7-11 vs. Evansville North
10-14-11 vs. North Harrison
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2010 Season
****ANDRY TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR LINDSEY WILSON***
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Caleb Andry signed a letter of intent to play college football for The Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson College out of Columbia, Kentucky starting with the 2011 football season Lindsry Wilson is a NAIA school
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****5 RAMS EARN IFCA ALL-STATE HONORS****
Five Paoli Rams Football players earned All-State honors from the indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA)for the 2010 Football Season Those Rams Recieving All-State Honors From The IFCA Are As Follows:
Remington Gill: Was Named to the IFCA Class 2A 1st Team All-State at Defensive Line Gill lead the team in tackles during the 2010 season
Will Kimble: Was named to the IFCA Class 2A 1st Team All-State at Defensive Line...Kimble was one of the defensive leaders in tackles during the 2010 season...Kimble was also named Academic All-State by the IFCA for the 2010 Football Season
Caleb Andry: Was Named To The IFCA Class 2A 1st Team All-State at linebacker for the 2010 season...Andry finished 2nd on the team in tackles for the 2010 season....Andry was also nominated as a Red Zone Player of The Year for the 2010 season
Trevor Axsom: Was Named To The IFCA Class 2A 1st Team Junior All-State Team at Defensive Back..
Garrett Shepard: Was Named To The IFCA Class 2A 1st Team Junior All-State as a Kicker....Shepard made a 38 yard Field Goal during a game against Corydon during the 2010 season
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****AXSOM NAMED ALL-STATE OTHER RAMS RECIEVE RECOGNITION****
Paoli Rams Junior Defensive Back Trevor Axsom was named to the Associated Press Class 2A 1st Team All-State Team as a Defensive Back for the 2010 Football season Axsom set a single season school record with 10 interceptions during the 2010 season....
Other Rans Recieving Recognition;
Garrett Shepard: Was named Honorable Mention All-State at Runningback by the Associated Press Shepard run for nearly 1,000 yard during the 2010 season
Remington Gill: Was named All-State Honorable Mention All-State at Offensive Line by the Associated fpr the 2010 season Press Gill was the anchor for a solid Offensive Line
Caleb Andry: For The Second Consecutive Year was named All-State Honrable Mention at Linebacker for the 2010 season by the Associated Press Andry wrapped up a solid career for The Rams by finishing Second in tackles for the Rams during the 2010 season
Will Kimble: Was named All-State Honrable Mention a Linebacker by the Associated Press for the 2010 season Kimble was 3rd on the team in tackles
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****7 RAMS EARN PLAC ALL CONFERENCE IN FOOTBALL***
The Patoka Lake Athletic (PLAC) Champions Paoli Rams placed 7 team members on the 2010 PLAC All-Conference Team Representing The Rams on the Team Are:
Remington Gill: Defensive Line
Zach Weddle: Offensive Line
Tyson Bostock: Offensive Line
Trevor Wright: Defensive Line
Caleb Andry: Lienbacker
Will Kimble: Linebacker
Garrett Shepard: Kicker
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*****ATTENTION ALL RAMS FANS****
Thought I would pass the word on that The Rams are wanting to hear from their fans who happen to pass by this site or even frequently visit the site but would like to hear from all of the out of state or out of town Rams fans who don't have the opportunity to cheer on the Rams in person so if you happen to be a former Rams player or a Paoli graduate or if you have had previously coached within the Rams football program or in simple terms a Rams fan they would like you to sign the guestbook at the top of the page
Thanks,
RAMS Football
****RAMS 5TH IN PRESEASON ASSOCIATED PRESS FOOTBALL POLL***
The Paoli Rams will enter the 2010 football season as Defending Regional Champions ranked 5th in the 2010 Class 2A AP Poll
2010 Associated Press Class 2A Top 10 for 9-14-2010:
1. Ft. Wayne Luers
2. Indianapolis Ritter
3. Rensselear Central
4. Evansville Mater Dei
5. North Putnam
6. Wheeler
7. Heritage Christian
8. PAOLI
9. Forest Park
10. Brownstown
****RAMS WINLESS BUT COMPETITIVE AT COLTS 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS***
The Paoli Rams recently traveled to the Indianapolis Colts 7 on 7 Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis and the young Rams were 0-3 lead by new incoming Quarterback Junior Brian Wilson (who was a main running threat last season) The Rams spotted 2009 #1 in Class 2A Indianapolis Ritter a 17-0 lead beforing fighting back to lose 24-14...The Rams then fell to Rensselear Central 21-14...against Rensselear Central The Rams had the ball on the 1 yard line as time expired with a chance to tie the game...the final game The Rams lost to Heritage Christian 23-6 in that game The Rams threw 3 interceptions which ended up giving Heritage Christian 9 of their 23 points...also seeing action at Quarterback for the Rams were Tyler Line and incoming Freshmen Garrett Strange
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2009 SEASON
****LASWELL NAMED CLASS 2009 2A PLAYER OF THE YEAR***
Paoli Rams Senior Quarterback Logan Laswell was chosen as the Class 2A Player Of The Year for the 2009 Football Season at the Griddy Awards which took place March 28, 2010 at the Indianapolis Colts Pavilion in Indianapolis, Indiana
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****BAKER TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR FRANKLIN COLLEGE***
Paoli Rams Linebacker Cody Baker signed on to play college football for Franklin College starting in the 2010 football season Baker was the defensive leader over the past 2 seasons for the Rams leading the team in tackles both years and coming off a 2009 season in which he was named 1st Team All-State and an Indiana North/South All-Star...Baker also recieved interest from Ball State, Purdue and the University of Indianapolis
****BAKER NAMED TO NORTH/SOUTH ALL-STAR TEAM***
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Cody Baker was chosen to represent the South Team at Linebacker for the 2010 Indiana North/South All-Star Game to be held July 16, 2010 at North Central High School in Indianapolis...
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****THREE RAMS NAMED TO REGION 10 ALL-STAR TEAM***
Three Defensive Plyers from the Paoli Rams Football team were named to the 2009 Region 10 Football All-Star Team Representing The Rams on this team are:
Logan Laswell- Free Safety
Cody Baker- Linebacker
Jacob Randolph- Strong Safety
****LASWELL NAMED TO 50 PLAYERS IN STATE BY IFCA****
Paoli Rams Senior Quarterback Logan Laswell was named to the top 50 All-State team by the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Laswell was the only 2A Quarterback listed on the top 50 team and he was recognized as being a top 50 player in Indiana for 2009
Others Recieving Recignition by the IFCA
Jordan Cole: Was named Class 2A 1st Team All-State Offensive Lineman by the IFCA
Cody Baker: Was named Class 2A 1st Team All-State Offensive Lineman by the IFCA
Caleb Andry: Was named 1st Team Class 2A Junior All-State Linebacker by the IFCA
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****BAKER NAMED 1ST TEAM ALL-STATE OTHER RAMS RECIEVE RECOGNITION****
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Cody Baker was named to the 2009 Associated Press Class 2A 1st Team All-State Football Team as a Linebacker for the 2009 Football Season...Baker lead the team in tackles during the 2009 season...in 2008 Baker was named
Honorable Mention All-State by the Associated Press
Other Rams Recieving Honorable Mention All-State Honors for the 2009 Football Season were:
Logan Laswell Quarterback: The Do It All Quarterback for The Rams was named Honorable Mention All-State Quarterback by the Associated Press after leading The Rams in rushing and passing...
Tyler Dillard: Was named All-State Honrable Mention at Runningback by The Associated Press...Dillard was second for the Rams in rushing and Touchdowns
Jordan Cole: Was named All-State Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman by the Associated Press...Cole anchored the Rams offensive Line
Caleb Andry: Was named All-State Honorable Mention at Linebacker by the Associated Press he was second on the team in tackles....
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****PAOLI FINDS LUCK ON FRIDAY THE 13TH BEAT EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 14-7 TO EARN TRIP TO SEMI-STATE***
PAOLI, Ind. — There's nothing unlucky about Friday the 13th for Paoli High School's football team.
Friday night the Rams held off Evansville Mater Dei 14-7 and won their first regional title and also won their 13th game of the year.
The Rams (13-0) will travel to No.2 Monrovia — a 20-15 winner over Indianapolis Ritter — for next weekend's Class2-A semistate.
“The kids have played so hard all year long,” Paoli coach Brian Balsmeyer said. “I couldn't be prouder of them. (Winning the regional) means we're playing again.”
With Logan Laswell hobbled by an early hit to his left knee, the Rams went to the air in the first half.
After that incident, Laswell — who normally plays free safety — didn't play defense the rest of the night.
“I'm not hurt,” Laswell said after the game as a smile slipped across his face. “I'm OK.”
Paoli missed out on a couple of scoring chances in the first half.
After Laswell hit Thomas Springer with a 49-yard pass, Paoli had the ball at the Mater Dei 2. Then Laswell fumbled the snap and the ball rolled to the 5, where Mater Dei's Andrew Wahl fell on it late in the first quarter.
On its next possession, the Rams again pushed the ball into Mater Dei territory and Paoli again fumbled, at the Wildcats' 28-yard line.
Mater Dei quarterback Dane Maurer completed a 59-yard pass to Dalton Brandenstein for an apparent touchdown, but a motion penalty brought the play back with 7:31 left in the half.
Maurer got the passing game going again a few minutes later, hitting Matt Fischer on a 33-yard play to the Paoli 5. On the next play, Cody Hess darted into the end zone untouched with 3:38 left in the half.
Then Laswell, still hobbling, took an option keeper and rambled 48 yards to the Mater Dei 17. Three plays later, the Rams were backed up to the 27 and called a timeout 3.5 seconds before the intermission. On the final play of the half, Laswell hit Tate Smith in the left corner of the end zone, making it 7-all.
“Tate (Smith) has made catches like that all year,” Laswell said. “It was a start-and-go and I just threw it to the corner of the end zone. The line really blocked well.”
Paoli's defense stiffened in the second half, allowing just 47 yards for the half and just 159 for the game.
“Our defense has played well all year,” Balsmeyer said.
The Rams manufactured enough points to win in the third quarter.
After Paoli's Jacob Randolph intercepted a pass at the Rams' 39, Paoli needed just three plays to take its first lead of the game.
Brian Wilson took a handoff from Laswell and scooted 28 yards to the Mater Dei 33. Then Randolph ran 11 yards to the 22.
From there, Laswell used an option keeper and found a hole, then lowered his head for the final 5 yards and plowed his way into the end zone with 8:27 left in the quarter.
“The line did a great job of blocking, especially on that play,” Laswell said. “It was just a huge hole. I tried to outrun them (early in the game on the 48-yard run when he was caught). I thought I'd try something different.”
Randolph ran the ball eight times for 53 yards, intercepted a pass and after Senior Linebacker Cody Baker smashed into a Mater Dei Reciever recovered a fumble late in the game, helping the Rams seal the win.
Paoli had a scare with 0.6 seconds left on the clock as Mater Dei tried the ol' hook and ladder play that was stuffed at mid field.
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***10 RAMS PLAYERS NAMED PLAC ALL- CONFERENCE***
Patoka Lake Athletic Conference (PLAC) Champions The Paoli Rams had 10 players named to PLAC All-Conference Team leading the conference in players named onto the teams. The following 10 Rams players were named to the team:
Logan Laswell: Quarterback
Tyler Dillard: Runningback
Tate Smith: Wide Reciever
Cody Raymer: Offensive Line
Cody Baker: Linebacker
Jordan Cole: Kicker/Special Teams
Thomas Springer: Defensive Back
Jacob Randolph: Defensive Back
Caleb Andry: Linebacker
Will Kimble: Linebacker/Defensive End
****RAMS WIN SECTIONAL 31 WIN FIRST SECTIONAL SINCE 1977***
For the third time in as many games in the past four weeks the PaoliRams found themselves in a precarious situation Friday Night, needing to come back again to keep their undefeated season alive.
With the Sectional 31 Championship on the line the 3rd Ranked Rams did what they did all year long. The defense refused to budge in the 3rd Quarter and the Rams put together a pair of scores together to turn the tide en eoute to a 21-13 victory over the Brownstown Braves.
The Rams managed a pair of first downs in the 1st Quarter but the swarming Brownstown defense kept The Rams on their heels as they made Logan Laswell look like he was running for his life throughout the first half and The Rams couldn't penetrate into Brownstown territory.
The Braves on the other hand didn't record a first down until the 2:16 mark of the 2nd quarter when they broke the ice with a 73 yard drive that was capped of by a 27 yard Touchdown Run by Caleb Silvers that gave Brownstown a 7-0 lead going into halftime.
"Offensively we knew it was going to be hard" said Rams Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer "They're going to man up and they're a good football team with good athletes and we we're just going to have to keep pounding and working to get the job done, and that's what the kids did. We got into halftime and made a few adjustments and the kids came out and excecuted and got the job done."
The Rams needed just five plays to reach the endzone in the 3rd Quarter as Senior Quarterback Logan Laswell followed Tyler Dillard through the line for gains of 23 and 13 yards before Dillard broke through and slid through tackles for a 27 yard Touchdown Run at the 9:37 the extra point by Jose Nunez tied the game at 7-7 the Paoli defense took over from there.
The Rams defense didn't allow a single first down to Brownstown in the 3rd Quarter and stuffing Brownstown's Kelley Wagner on 4th and 1 to keep the home team in the game.
Laswell who had 139 yards in the second half had runs of 37 and 14 on the Rams' next drive then Dillard added a 13 yard run before Laswell capped off the go ahead Touchdown on a 3 yard Touchdown Run at the 4:31 mark "We knew they were going ot put so many in the box but we just continued to fight and get the job done" said Balsmeyer
After the Braves turned the ball over pn downs at their 44 late in the period The Rams failed to geta first down and punted the ball back to the Braves which rolled out of bounds at the 3 yard line Brownstown picked up a first down at their own 44 when Braves Quarterback Ryan Shoemaker dropped back to pass Caleb Silvers was opne in the falt and right as Silvers recieved the ball Rams Senior Cornerback Tate Smith hit Silvers hard jarring the ball loose. An alert Cody Baker scooped up the ball and returned it 52 yards into the endzone for what would end up being the game winning Touchdown.
"I just happend to be there at the right time" said Smith "There was no way I was going to get the ball so I just ducked my head and hit him as hard as I could" Laswell doing is best Adrian Peterson impersination bulldozed through a Brownstown defender for the 2-Point Conversion.
The Braves got their passing game going late as they marched the field in a less than two minutes to score on a Shoemaker to Spencer Allman pass but on the ensuing kickoff Ram Trevor Axsom recovered the onside kick and The Rams used runs by Laswell to run out the clock and secure the Rams victory.
The Rams will host Evansville Mater Dei next Friday for the Regional Trophy
Rams players Garrett Shepard and Jose Nunez combined are close
to setting the record for most extra points made in a season...Shepard has an outside shot of setting the individual record of 39 kicks made set in 2008 by Kris Molina.
With The Paoli Rams' shutout of Eastern Greene they set the school record for shutouts in a season with their 6th shutout
***RAMS STAY AT TO #3 IN LATEST AP POLL***
The Paoli Rams stayed at the #3 spot in the latest Associated Press 2A Poll The Rams also retained thier 3 first place votes from the previous poll
ASSOCIATED PRESS CLASS 2A POLL FOR 10-13-09
CLASS 2A
1. Indianapolis Ritter (9) 7-1 230,
2. Monrovia 8-0 184,
3. Paoli (3) 8-0 180,
4. South Spencer 7-1 146,
5. Wheeler 8-0 130,
6. Heritage Christian 6-2 106,
7. Fairfield 7-1 104,
8. Southridge 5-3 54,
9. Fort Wayne Luers 4-4 32,
10. Centerville 8-0 30.
***RAMS DO GOOD AT 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT***
At the Indianapolis Colts 7 on 7 Tournament of Champions The Paoli Rams finished in 2nd in pool play and fell 31-17 to Ft. Wayne Harding in the tourney. The Rams defeated 2A State Champion Heritage Christian 27-21, defeated 1A State Champion Indianapolis Ritter 27-7 and fell to 3A State Runner-Up Evansville Memorial 27-7. Rams team members who participated are as follows:
#2 Brian Wilson
#4 Trevor Axsom
#5 Caleb Andry
#10 Logan Laswell
#17 Jacob Randolph
#21 Colton Phelps
#27 Garrett Shepard
#28 Channing Kameda
#51 Cody Baker
#65 Cody Raymer
#81 Logan Jones
#88 Devin Rutherford
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2008 SEASON
***LASWELL NAMED PRIME TIME 25 PLAYER***
Paoli Rams Junior Quarterback Logan Laswell was named a Prime Time Top 25 players heading into the 2009 Football Season by the Indiana Football Digest Laswell along with the other 24 Prime Time Players gathered at the Indianapolis Colts complex March 29th to get thier pictures taken for the cover of the Indiana Football Digest Magazine.
Paoli will be featured in the magazine and Laswell along wiht 9 other of his teammates will have their pictures in the Paoli Section of the Magazine
****BALSMEYER NAMED 2008 INDIANA 2A COACH OF THE YEAR***
Paoli Rams head football coach was named the Motoroloa Indiana Class 2A Coach of the year for the 2008 football season with this recognition he also recieved a $1,000 check from the Indianapolis Colts to go towards the football program Balsmeyer will also serve as an assistant coach on the North/South All-Star game
***3 RAMS NAMED ALL-STATE HONRABLE MENTION***
Three Paoli Rams Football Players were named Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team for the 2008 Football Season
Logan Laswell Quarterback- Was the leading Rusher and passer for the Rams was named honorbale mention as a Quarterback and is in the running to be All-State next season
Tyler Dillard Defensive Tackle- Was recognized as a member of the honorbale mention team after leading the team in sacks for the 2008 season
Cody Baker Linebacker- Baker was the first 2A Linebacker mentioned on the honorbale mention team for linebackers after leading the team in tackles for the season
***8 RAMS NAMED PLAC ALL-CONFERENCE***
8 Paoli Rams Football Players were named PLAC All-Conference for the 2008 Football Season. Being Recognized as All-Conference members were:
Drew Owen- Offensive Line
Ethan White- Punter
Logan Laswell- Defensive Back
Tyler Dillard- Runningback
Cody Raymer- Linebacker
Cody Baker- Linebacker
Tate Smith- Reciever
****RAMS FALL SHORT OF A SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LOSING 28-21 TO BROWNSTOWN***
BROWNSTOWN — The Brownstown Central Braves and Paoli Rams have each had their share of big plays over the course of the 2008 football season and each continued that trend Friday night in the Sectional 31 championship game at Blevins Memorial Stadium.
The Rams, who hadn’t found themselves in a close game since their Week 1 victory over Salem, fought to the bitter end, but it was the Braves who made one more play to claim their fourth sectional title in the last six years with a 28-21 victory.
Paoli coach Brian Balsmeyer, who has led a dramatic turnaround in the program the past two seasons, was pleased with his club’s effort, but he was by no means satisfied with the outcome.
“It’s progress,” Balsmeyer said. “But what these kids have got to understand is we haven’t proven to be a champion yet. We were in a position to win the championship in the conference and we didn’t do that and we were in a position to win the championship here in the sectional and we failed to do that. Those are two important goals that we have and as a program or a community we can’t be satisfied.
“Moral victories aren’t going to get you anywhere. We’ve had a good turnaround, but we’ve got to pick it up and continue to get better and improve our game.”
After breaking a 21-21 tie with a touchdown late in the third quarter, the Brownstown defense came up with the biggest play of the night, keeping the Rams at bay four times from inside the 10-yard line with just over five minutes left in the game. Paoli quarterback Logan Laswell, who carried the load all night for the Rams, picked up six yards on first and second down, was stopped cold on third down and could not find an open receiver on fourth and goal from the four-yard line as the Braves rose to the occasion to preserve the win.
“They’ve got a heck of a football team and their offensive scheme gave us fits,” Brownstown coach Reed May said. “I bet we made four adjustments during the game just to try and figure out how to slow them down. Laswell is a heck of a runner and their fullbacks do a great job. Luckily we were able to stop them down here on the goal line and then we were able to pound them. But I commend coach for his offensive scheme. He does a great job with what they do.”
The Braves drew first blood midway through the opening period, going 78 yards on 10 plays for the first score. Senior running backs Blaze Hurley and Teddy Stucker did the bulk of the work, with Hurley taking a shovel pass from Cam Cockerham and rambling 38 yards before Stucker went in from a yard out at the 5:08 mark.
The Rams answered with a 19-play drive that covered 82 yards and chewed up more than eight minutes of the first and second quarters. Laswell carried the ball 11 times for 61 of the yards, including a fake punt that kept the drive alive. A quarterback sneak and an extra point by Kris Molina tied the game at seven with 8:53 left in the half.
Both defenses came up with big stops before intermission, but Cockerham hooked up with Coley Brown on a 42-yard pass play that set up a five-yard scoring scamper by Hurley that gave Brownstown a 14-7 lead with 37.3 left.
Not to be outdone, the Rams went to the air themselves. Laswell hit Tate Smith in the flat to move the ball into Brownstown territory and a face mask penalty added another 15 yards before Laswell ripped off a 20-yard run to set up the tying score. On second and goal from the 10-yard line, Laswell lofted a ball into the corner of the end zone and Smith hauled it in to knot the game at 14 with :01.8 on the clock.
“We felt we could get at least three plays out of the time we had,” Balsmeyer said of the final possession. “So we knew we had to run the fade route and it worked out. They were manned up on us, taking away the inside, so that’s what they gave us and we made the play.”
Tyler Dillard caught Hurley in the backfield to help the Rams’ defense come up with a big stop at the outset of the second half and the Paoli offense responded with a five-play drive that culminated with a 44-yard touchdown run by Laswell that gave the Rams their first lead of the night with 8:17 left in the third.
“He’s a competitor,” Balsmeyer said of Laswell. “He hates to lose more than anything in this world and that’s why he’s successful in all his athletics. He came to play tonight and you can’t ask for anything more.”
Cockerham completed three of five passes for 36 yards to set up a one-yard scoring run by Stucker at the 5:36 mark and Hurley went in from four-yards out with 2:33 left in the third to regain the lead for the Braves. Stucker finished with 152 yards, while Hurley added an even 100 on 16 carries as Brownstown improved to 10-1.
Laswell carried the ball 34 times for 228 yards against the Braves, who put 11 men in the box early on before the Rams went to their spread offense and worked the middle of the field.
“That’s about all we could do the way they were playing us,” Balsmeyer said of his offense. “We knew their outside backers, Stucker and Hurley, they’re tough guys and they’re so fast defensively. We felt our best shot was to run right at them and get after it. So that’s what we did. We kept pounding and tried to do it well enough that we could get some yards.”
The Rams, who were 0-10 just two years ago, finished with a 10-2 record.
“We’ve still got some things to work on,” Balsmeyer said. “We’re inching, but it’s a process and we’ve got to just keep plugging along. The kids fought to the end, but unfortunately we’re just not quite close enough yet.”
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****RAMS ADVANCE TO SECTIONAL FINALS AFTER DOMINATING VICTORY OVER MITCHELL***
PAOLI — Friday night’s Sectional 31 semifinal played out like a bad horror film for the Mitchell Bluejackets, who ran out of tricks early and watched as the Paoli Rams treated their fans to an offensive show on Halloween night.
In a game that saw junior quarterback Logan Laswell go over 1,000 yards rushing and also set a new single-season mark for touchdown passes, the Rams rolled to a 58-0 victory to advance to next week’s sectional final at Brownstown.
Paoli racked up 329 yards on the ground (172 by Laswell) and another 163 through the air, en route to a new high-water mark for wins in a season with 10 in 11 outings.
As well as his offense played, Paoli coach Brian Balsmeyer was just as pleased with the defense, which pitched a shutout for just the second time this season.
“I’m real proud of the kids,” Balsmeyer said. “They came out and played hard. We’ve talked about defensively, if we’re going to advance, we’re going to have to play better defense than we’ve been playing. We played well tonight, and we want that attitude to continue.”
There were no ghouls to be found and the only gobblin was done by the Paoli offense, which went 78 yards on 18 plays, chewing up nearly eight minutes before putting up the first score of the contest. After methodically moving the ball down the field — thanks to some hard running from Tyler Dillard, Ethan White, Jacob Randolph and Laswell — the Rams used a 25-yard pass from Laswell to Randolph to move the ball inside the five-yard line.
Mitchell senior Jamal Morgan came up with a pair of big hits and the remainder of the Mitchell defense stiffened to force a fourth-down play, but Laswell found Randolph again for the score with 4:09 left on the clock.
“We wanted the ball, because we felt we could score,” Balsmeyer said. “With the way we did it, we shortened the game and their kids were playing offense, too, so we thought we could wear them out. We kept running and running, so it was good.”
Mitchell coach Todd Tanksley was happy to see his club stand its ground and force the Rams to pull out all the stops to find the end zone.
“That was fine with us,” Tanksley said. “We wanted to shorten the game with long drives that chewed clock on their part and on our part and I thought our defense really stepped up and played well in that first quarter, especially on that first drive. We were bending but not breaking. We didn’t give up the big play, but we just have to get better at putting a stop to it when things start getting away from us.”
The Jacket offense failed to convert a first down until late in the first half, and the defense paid the price as the Rams got a four-yard TD run from Dillard and a 27-yard dash from Laswell to build a 22-0 lead at the half.
“In that first quarter especially, I thought our game plan was going exactly how we had envisioned it,” Tanksley said. “We were thinking 7-0 or maybe 7-7 early in the game and hopefully we could keep it there and see what happened in the second half. But we made a couple silly mistakes there in the second quarter and gave them a couple scores and went in 22-0. Then in the second half it just got away from us.”
After controlling the ball and the clock in the first half, the Rams wasted no time extending their lead in the third quarter. Laswell scored from seven-yards out less than three minutes in, then hooked up with Tate Smith on an eight-yard scoring strike that gave him a new school record of 20 for the season.
“I hate to single out anyone,” Balsmeyer said. “There are a lot of linemen that have a lot to do with that, but he’s a pretty special player. He does a great job with the offense and we’re pleased we’ve got that. But we’ve got a lot of guys running hard and it’s good that we’ve got a lot of people involved. Those guys up front have done a great job and continue to work to get better, so we’re real proud of them.”
The Jackets muffed the ensuing kickoff and Laswell found Smith down the sideline for a 40-yard gain before adding a 23-yard TD run that was capped off by a Randolph block at the 10-yard line, giving the Rams a 44-0 lead with 5:37 left in the third quarter.
“We’re real pleased with our offense,” Balsmeyer said. “It’s done a good job all year. We’ve got some kids that are able to understand what we’re trying to accomplish and get it done.
“We had kids step up and make plays when they needed to and this is the time of year to do that. So we’re proud of the kids for the way they responded and the way they came out in the second half.”
Mitchell managed a first down early in the fourth quarter when junior Jordan Randolph broke free up the middle and rambled for 21 yards, but Paoli sophomore Caleb Andry came up with an interception three plays later and freshman Brian Wilson scampered in from 29-yards out to make it 51-0 with 8:20 left.
Thomas Isom had a fourth-quarter interception for the Jackets, but Mitchell committed four turnovers in the final nine minutes to finish the season with a 2-9 record.
“Give Paoli credit,” Tanksley said. “They’re a good football team. They’ve done the work in the offseason. They’re well prepared and they’re strong kids and hopefully our underclassmen that were here tonight understand that we have to do the work in the offseason if we’re going to compete at this level.”
The Rams (10-1) will head to Brownstown to take on the 11th-ranked Braves (9-1) in the sectional final Friday.
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***Paoli Rams Ranked in the Top 10 in 2A Football for first time since 1997***
ASSOCIATED PRESS CLASS 2A FOOTBALL POLL FOR 10-15-08
1. Heritage Christian (8-0)
defeated Park Tudor, 48-7
at Indianapolis Ritter (8-0) Friday
2. Fairfield (8-0)
defeated Churubusco, 41-30
at Culver Academy (4-4) Friday
3. North Putnam (8-0)
defeated Speedway, 35-32
at Cloverdale (2-6) Friday
4. Fort Wayne Luers (6-2)
defeated Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 40-0
vs. Fort Wayne Dwenger (8-0) Friday
5. Lewis Cass (7-1)
defeated Maconaquah, 69-0
vs. Western (8-0) Friday
6. Oak Hill (8-0)
defeated Blackford, 14-7
at Elwood (2-6) Friday
7. Southridge (7-1)
defeated Pike Central, 41-6
at Gibson Southern (4-4) Friday
8. Jimtown (6-2)
defeated Bremen, 17-7
vs. Triton (5-3) Friday
9. Wheeler (8-0)
defeated Hammond Noll, 59-27
vs. Calumet (7-1) Friday
10. Paoli (8-0)
defeated Eastern Greene, 49-24
vs. Perry Central (8-0) Friday
***LASWELL AND BAKER AMONG STATE LEADERS***
Paoli Junior Quarterback Logan Laswell is in the top 50 in the state of Indiana in rushing yards.
Paoli Junior Linebacker Cody Baker is also among the state leaders in tackles.
***RAMS TO FACE EASTERN (GREENE) IN SECTIONAL
The Paoli rams drew the Eastern (Greene) Thunderbirds for their forst round sectional opponent in the 2008 IHSAA playoffs. The Rams couldn't have asked for a better draw if they defeat Eastern (Greene) they will face the winner of Eastern Pekin (0-7) and Mitchell (1-6) with a chance to go into the sectional Finals
***RAMS RETURN TO GLORY**
PAOLI — When Brian Balsmeyer arrived in Paoli three years ago he had a tough sell on his hands. He had to peddle Paoli football to the school’s best athletes, and that wasn’t exactly as easy as selling Sarah Palin posters at an NRA convention.
The Rams, after all, had nearly been 0-for-the-2000s. That’s a tad of an exaggeration, but Paoli football was a mere 11-40 since 2000 and there were two 0-10 campaigns in there.
It took some big Balsmeyers to take over such a wreck, but the hulking Brian and his brother, Mark, came to the rescue. Brian came in from the legendary program at Jasper, where he’d been an assistant. His ego took an immediate smackdown after Paoli endured one last 0-10 season in 2006, but then came a 6-5 mark in 2007, and now the Rams are soaring at 6-0 and close to cracking the Top 10 in the Class 2A rankings. Paoli will be big favorites to clip Corydon this week and down Eastern Greene in Week 8, which means they would head into the regular-season finale against Perry Central unbeaten. Both teams would likely be undefeated and each 4-0 in the PLAC.
The Paoli athletes, and its populace, are sold.
“At 0-10 that first year, it was questionable whether or not it was going to happen,” Balsmeyer said, managing a chuckle. “But we kept plugging away and now we’re getting there. Credit that to the kids for buying into the system and working hard to get there.
“We had some talent, but we had to get them to believe in us and believe in themselves.
“That first year I tried to do too much. I was coming from Jasper and my ego told me I was going to come in here and save it and turn it around the very first year. So we’ve had to learn along with the kids, and my assistants have done a great job of coaching these guys.
“Coach (Wes) Whitfield, coach (Derek) Newkirk and my brother, Mark (who has since moved on) did a great job last year of getting the offense going, and now we’ve added R.J. Hartsfield (the former Salem and Franklin College star) in Mark’s place, and he’s full of energy.
“And coach (Aaron) Hannan and coach (Billy) Vincent and myself are doing the defense, so we’ve got three offensive coaches and three defensive coaches, and we know our responsibilities and get the job done.
“But the biggest thing is the kids buying in and the work ethic from them has vastly improved. We have a poster that charts our summer workouts, and we set the criteria at 80 percent the first year and only had 10 kids meet it. Then we moved it to 90 percent our second season and had 13 kids make it.
“This year we kept it at 90 percent and had 33 kids meet it, and that shows you if you put in the time good things are going to happen. Last year’s seniors made the choice that they were going to work and compete and win, and they did it. Then the kids started believing. It’s a mindset. Early on people asked me the difference between Jasper and here, and I say that the kids at Jasper expect to win and the kids at Paoli hope to win.
“Now the kids at Paoli are starting to expect good things when they step on the field.”
The Rams are averaging 40.3 points per game and giving up just 13.8 per game, and as one coach once put it, it isn’t always about the Xs and Os, sometimes it’s about the Jimmys and Joes. Good players make the schemes work, and the Rams have them starting with junior quarterback Logan Laswell, who has Balsmeyer’s option attack humming.
Laswell leads the Rams in rushing with 69 carries for 550 yards and six touchdowns, and also has passed for 740 yards and 12 TDs with only one interception while completing over 60% of his passes. For good measure, he averages 38.5 yards a punt, and all those statistics have him on the state leaderboards.
“Logan has a lot of the intangibles that make a good leader,” Balsmeyer said. “He’s intelligent and he’s a competitor who hates to lose. We put a lot on his shoulders, but he does a great job of running the offense and making good decisions.
“We have our quarterbacks learning the system and learning to make decisions at the line of scrimmage, not only with Laswell, but all of our younger kids, right down to the youth program. They do exactly what we do on Friday nights, and hopefully it will continue to pay off.”
Laswell has offensive help from Tyler Dillard, who has rushed for 479 yards and six TDs on 56 carries, while wide receiver Tate Smith has 364 yards and eight scores on 18 receptions. Ethan White has 227 rushing yards and Josh Reef adds 213.
The defense is led by linebacker Cody Baker who leads the team in tackles while Dillard has 11.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks from his nose guard spot.
Paoli should print a bunch of yard signs that say, “Rams Football” on them and have a big SOLD! stamp across them.
“We’ve gone from being in just one game our first year to being in every game and now, so far, winning every game this year,” Balsmeyer said. “Our defense is tough and fast, which is what I want on the field on defense, kids who can go get the ball. Our offense is versatile and tough to read, which makes it pretty hard to stop.
“We have to thank last year’s senior a lot because they could’ve easily said, ‘Playing Paoli football isn’t really cool, isn’t the thing to do,’ but they did it and did it well, and now we’re having some success. But we’re only as good as our next game, and that’s how we play it each week, like we’re 0-0 and scratching and clawing for our first win
“It would be nice for the fans and players if we can get these next two wins and be undefeated for Perry Central. It would be a nice night of football for everybody, but no matter what, I think there’s a lot of pride back in Paoli football.”
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***THE RAMS ARE ON RECORD SCORING PACE
With the Rams off to a 4-0 start and scoring 40 or more points in the last 3 games and in 3 of the first 4 games it puts them at a 157-139 points scoring advantage over the 1997 team through 4 games....on the flip side through 4 games in the 1997 That Rams teams only surrendered 12 points and were coming off of 3 straight shutouts...compared to the Rams who against North Harrison gave up that many points in one game
******With The Rams beating Salem and starting the season 1-0 it's the first time since 1997 they have started 1-0 in which the Rams went on to win 9 straight games...I also belivee it's is only the 3rd or 4th time since 1987 that The Rams have won at Salem.
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****WARNER AND ROBINSON RECIEVE MORE RECOGNITION
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner and Senior Defensive back Daniel Robinson were named to the Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention Team for the 2007 Football Season
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****RAMS FOOTBALL AWARDS NIGHT
The Paoli Rams Coaches hoored the 2007 Footbal; Team with the Annual Football Awards banquet followig are those who recieved awards at the banquet:
Tyler Dillard: Defensive Lineman, Defensive Production Award
Ben White: Superman Award
Matt Warner: Capatian's Award, PLAC All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention, Red Zone Player of the Year Nominee, Most Valuable Player
Dylan Long: Mental Attitude Award
Andrea Saponaro: Special Teams Award
Daniel Robinson: Pancake Award, Defensive Back Award, Captain's Award, PLAC All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention, Academic All-State, Hammer Award (Hardest Hitter)
Jordan Cole: Offensive Lineman
Caleb Andry: JV Defensive MVP
Logan Laswell: Offensive Production, Offensive Back award
Scotty Tedrow: Mental Attitude
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***WARNER,ROBINSON,COLE,DILLARD ,LASWELL RECIEVE STATE RECOGNITION
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner was named to the Bloomington Herald Times All-State Honorable Mention team as a Linebacker for the 2007 Season. Warner led the Rams in tackles for the 2007 season.
Paoli Rams Senior Defensive Back Daniel Robinson was named to the Bloomington Herald Times All-State Honorable Mention team as a Defensive Back for the 2007 Football Season. Robinson was one of the top Defensive Backs for the Rams in 2007 and had alot of solo tackles as a DB.
Paoli Rams Sophomore Offensive Lineman Jordan Cole was named to the Bloomigotn Herald Times Junior All-State Honorable Mention Team as a Sophomore. Cole was one of the better Lineman in the PLAC and was one of The Rams Best Lineman.
Paoli Rams Sophomore Defensive Lineman Tyler Dillard was named to the Bloomington Herald Times Junior All-State Team as a Sophomore. Dillard led the Rams in sacks for the 2007 season was named PLAC All-Conference.
Paoli Rams Junior Quarterback Logan Laswell was named to the Bloomington Herald Times Junior All-State Team as a Sophomore. Laswell completed over 50 % of his passes for the 2007 season and was one of the leading rushers for the Rams
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***WARNER,ROBINSON AND DILLARD NAMED PLAC ALL-CONFERENCE
Paoli Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner, Senior Defensive Back Daniel Robinson and Sophomore Defensive Lineman Tyler Dillard were named to the Patoka Lake Athletic Conference (PLAC) All-Conference team for the 2007 Football Season. Warner was the leader on defense leading the team in tackles....Robinson was one of the better defensive backs on the team racking up alot of individual tackles....Dillard was the star Defensive Lineman leading the team in sacks.
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****GOODMAN & WARNER AMONG STATE LEADERS
Rams Senior Punter Joe Goodman is once again among the state leaders in punting...Goodman was All-State Hinorable Mnetion as a punter last season
Rams Senior Linebacker Matt Warner is among the state leaders in tackles for the 2007 Football Season
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The Shool Board extended Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer's contract through the 2009 Football Season and through the 2009-2010 school year
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Some Did You Knows? about Paoli Football
Did you know that when the Paoli Rams defeated Perry Central in 2009 in came 10 years to the game of their last win against Perry Central and their last Conference Championship which both happens in 1999.
Did you know that Paoli Rams Quarterback Logan Laswell started at Quarterback in his first Sectional Game as a Freshmen in 2006 at South Spencer?
Did you know The Paoli Rams are the last team to shut out the Brownstown Braves in a game that occured back in the 1997 season when Paoli defeated Brownstown 53-0?
Did you know former Paoli Runningback Tyler White rushed for at least one yard in all of his varsity football games he competed in?
Did you know that the Paoli Rams outscored North Daviess 187-12 over a 5 year period? The Wins for Paol occurred from 1986-1990 and (the scores were: 33-12, 49-0, 64-0, 16-0, 27-0)?
Did you know that prior to winning a Sectional game in 2007 the last time the Rams won a Sectional game was in 1998?
Did you know current Head Coach Brian Balsmeyer once played in the Arena Football League?
Did you know that the Rams are 7-4 against the Mitchell Bluejackets in their last 11 meetings?
Did you know that former Ram player David McDonald played half a season in 1997 with a torn MCL?
Did you know that former Rams player David McDonald played major minutes at Linebakcer his Freshmen season?
Did you know that during the 2000 football season former Paoli Quarterback Josh Stevens would bruise his MCL but return 2 weeks later to lead the football team?
Did you know that former Ram player Michael Harmon was the starting Quarterback during the Rams 9-1 1997 season but was one of the star runningbacks for the Rams during the 1998 season?
Did you know that former Rams player Michael Harmon is the only Rams player to Rush for 100 yards and pass for 100 yards in the same game? It happedn during a game against Brownstown in 1997.
Did you know that former Ram player Josh Stevens was one of the main receiving threats in 1999 but was the starting Quarterback in 2000?
Did you know that former Rams player Josh Stevens is the only player in Rams history to return a punt 90 yards for a Touchdown and rush for a 98 yard touchdown? He accomplished the feat against Mitchell in 2000.
Did you know that former Rams player Josh Stevens is the only Rams player to Return a Punt for A Touchdown, Throw A Touchdown Pass and Run for a Touchdown? It all happend in a game against Mitchell in 2000
Did you know that Former Indiana All-Star LB Kyle Nichols started at Runningback in his first ever varsity football ever which was aginst Mitchell in 1996?
Did you know that in Former Rams Star Kyle Nichols first game at Runningback against Mitchell he rushed for 211 yards?
Did you know during the Rams remarkable 1997 season it took the Rams 6 weeks to score their first passing touchdown?
Did you know that during the Rams remarkable season in a game against Brownstown it was the only time a Rams team has had 3 plays of 90 or more yards go for touchdowns? the plays were a 98 yard run, a 97 yard run and a 91 yard pass all for touchdowns.
Did you know that also during a game against Brownstown in 1997 that the Rams had 5 or more plays go at least 66 yards for a Touchdown?
Did you know that in 1979 Former Ram Head Coach Tom Anderson became the first Ram coach to coach in the annual North/South All Star game as he was the Head Coach of the South All-Stars not only was he the first Ram coach but he was also the first coach to achieve this in the Mid South Conference and Class 1A?
Did you know that in 1997 the 9-1 Paoli Ram Football team had more rushing yards in one season (3,621) than Tyler White did in his entire career (3,273)?
Did you know that in 1998 Rebecca Florence became the Only Female in Paoli Football History to play Varsity Football?
Did you know that former Ram players Rebecca Florence (1998) and Aaron Florence (1994-1997) became the first brother/sister players to suit up for the Rams?
Did you know former Paoli Star Runningback Aaron Florence started on defense his freshmen year?
Did you know that the first season of football that the Paoli Rams didn't play a home game at Cook Field? They played their home games in the outfield of Jaycee Park's Softball Field?
Did you know that Mitchell was the very first football team that Paoli played?
Did you know that Springs Valley was the first away team to travel to Paoli to play a football game?
Did you know that in 1962 Paoli defeated Springs Valley 13-6 for their very first football win?
Did you know that Bob Walls scored the very first touchdown in Paoli Rams football history?
Did you know that John Cook scored the first home Touchdown in Paoli Rams football history?
