Oct 11, 2013 4 min read

MONONGAHELA – Two of the more explosive quarterbacks in the WPIAL didn’t disappoint when they took the field opposite each other Friday night.

With third place in the Big Nine Conference and a potential home playoff game on the line, all eyes were on Ringgold’s Nico Law and Elizabeth Forward’s JaQuaun Davidson, but another player stole the show.

Chacar Berry scored on a 71-yard touchdown run to break a 36-36 tie with 3:23 left in the fourth quarter and Ringgold defeated Elizabeth Forward, 52-36, Friday at Joe Montana Stadium.

“Just like we drew it up,” Rams coach Matt Humbert said. “We knew we could run our double option. We told Chacar to hit it as hard as he could. That’s what we needed from him at that moment.”

Ringgold’s ground game dominated Elizabeth Forward to the tune of three 100-yard rushers. Law led the way with 161 yards on 16 carries, Berry finished with 143 yards on 17 attempts, and Matt Kirby finished with 118 yards.

Berry scored four touchdowns in all, adding three receptions for 43 yards and two scores.

The victory puts the Rams (5-2, 5-2) a game ahead of the Warriors (4-3, 4-3) for third place.

“This is a game that you have the ability to get a good seed come playoff time. Getting that third spot is huge,” said Humbert.

The Warriors had erased a 20-point deficit in the second half, scoring with 3:59 left in the fourth on Davidson’s two-yard run to tie the score at 36-36.

“I wasn’t concerned about how we’d respond,” said Humbert. “We’ve been able to match score for score. We’re resilient.”

Ringgold scored on the game’s opening possession on Law’s six-yard touchdown run. Law then squib-kicked to Elizabeth Forward and the ball hit an up-man. Law fell on it, then scored two plays later on a 48-yard run.

The Warriors finally got the ball trailing by 16 points but gave the ball right back. However, the defense held firm and forced the Rams into a three-and-out.

Elizabeth Forward got on the board when Davidson lobbed a ball into the end zone which Bernadowski outjumped a defender for to haul in a 30-yard touchdown pass.

Law was then intercepted when his pass was tipped at the defensive line and hauled in by Michael Ocilka. The Warriors took advantage of that and tied the score on Jalen French’s 25-yard run.

The tie was short-lived, and Law was at the forefront of it.

On the first play after the turnover, Law ran 48 yards to set up Ringgold inside the EF 20. He got a lucky bounce a few plays later on a fourth and three when he fumbled the ball but it bounced right back into his path, and he gained enough for the first down.

Two plays later, Berry scored from a yard out.

Then it was Ringgold’s turn to capitalize on a turnover. Dayshore Majors picked off Davidson at the EF 45 and returned it 10 yards. Law connected with Berry on a pass to the 10, with Berry having to fight a defender to haul in the pass, then Berry dragged two defenders into the end zone.

It got worse for the Warriors when Davidson was intercepted again to lead off the second half and Ringgold went up 36-16 on the second Law-to-Berry connection.

But Bernadowski stepped up to get the Warriors back in the game. His 75-yard kickoff return set up French’s four-yard scoring plunge, and after Law was stopped for a loss on fourth down inside Rams territory, Bernadowski caught another jump ball for 39 yards to get Elizabeth Forward back to 36-29.

“The scary thing about their offense is they can score at any time,” said Humbert.