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RANDOLPH, Rich County — A circus is defined as a large public entertainment, typically presented in an outdoor or indoor arena, featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring, performing animals, etc., interspersed throughout with the slapstick antics of clowns.
Friday's 1A football game between the Rich Rebels and Milford Tigers was in an outdoor arena, included feats of skill, and was definitely entertaining, but was interspersed with 10 turnovers.
The hometown Rebels, however, prevailed, 36-12, to improve to 3-1 on the season.
The Rebels took the lead for good on the first drive of the game when Cache Sabey stepped in for the score from four yards out.
Despite the long five-hour bus trip to Randolph, the visiting Tigers brought a lively defense and held the Rebels to just a touchdown in the first quarter.
The Rebels held a 14-0 lead part way through the second quarter when things got a little wild.
Rich defensive end McKay Jarman blocked the Milford punt, which was recovered by fellow Rebel Skyler Argyle on the three-yard line. On the following play, Rich attempted a lateral pass that went array and recovered by the Tigers.
Milford, however, surrendered a safety and the Rebels led 16-0. Rebel Joseph Leifson took the kick off 60 yards for a score to increase the lead to 22-0.
On the first play on the ensuing drive, Milford quarterback Jalen Hardy connected with Nathan Barnes for a 90-yard touchdown to get the Tigers on the board.
The Tigers recorded an interception late in the second quarter, but were unable to punch it in, and the Rebels entered the locker room leading, 22-6.
Milford used a fake punt to keep its opening drive of the second half alive, but the Rebel defense held the Tigers, who had marched to the Rich 10.
Later, Sabey found the end zone from 18 yards out for his third touchdown of the day and increased the Rich cushion to 28-6 at the end of the third quarter.
The Rich High backfield suffered several injuries so the coaches pulled Dakota Clark off the offensive line and put him in at fullback. His 35-yard run right up the middle pushed the score to 36-6 with four minutes left in the game.
Despite the sizeable deficit, the Tigers continued to fight.
Hardy threw a screen pass to Wade Netto, who took it through several Rebel defenders for 79 yards for the Tigers' final score of the game.
Kaydon Noyes led the Tigers with 20 carries for 93 yards, while Hardy threw for 120 yards and a touchdown.
The Rebels had a balanced attack led by Chalis Myers, who rushed for 91 yards on seven carries, while Sabey tallied 87 yards on eight carries and Joseph Leifson 75 yards on seven carries.
The Rebels host the Monticello Buckaroos (2-3) for a homecoming game next week, while the Tigers (1-4) play the JV squad from Beaver High School.
