By Marla Jones, Sports Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — For the first time since 1991, the Sylvania Rams faced the Collinsville Panthers on Friday night. The Rams shutout the Panthers, 35-0 in Class 3A, Region 7 play.

Sylvania scored their first touchdown of the night on a 13-yard stampede into the endzone by Gareth Anderson, with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point attempt by Jaxon Andrede was good, giving the Rams the 7-0 lead. 

The Rams scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. Brody Smith scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper with 6:38 remaining in the first half. The point-after attempt by Andrede was good, giving the Rams the 14-0 advantage. With 1:39 remaining in the second, Gareth Anderson scored on a 6-yard run. The PAT by Andrede was good, giving the Rams the 21-0 lead going into intermission. 

In the fourth quarter, sophomore Braiden Thomas showed out with two touchdowns to seal the Rams victory. The first touchdown occurred with 6:55 remaining in the game on a 5-yard scamper into the endzone. The point-after attempt by Andrede padded the Rams score to 28-0.  To end the game, Thomas bulldozed his way into the endzone from 46 yards out for the score.  Andrede was perfect for the night on his point-after attempts, making the final score for the Rams, 35-0.

Gareth Anderson and Braiden Thomas led the Rams, both having 116 yards for the night. 

“We are still improving. It was a better team effort this week,” stated Sylvania Head Coach Matt Putnam. “Our young players are growing up.”

The Sylvania Rams will travel to take on Holly Pond this Friday night. The Rams will be back in region play on October 2, traveling to take on the Asbury Rams. 

The Collinsville Panthers will travel to take on the Sand Rock Wildcats on Friday night.