Rams fall to DAR on homecoming, 62-14

By DRUW GIAMALVA, Sports Editor

ALBERTVILLE — In a special Thursday night game under the lights, the Asbury Rams would celebrate homecoming against the Kate Duncan Smith DAR Patriots. The Patriots would be able to spoil the Rams’ celebration as they ended up taking a 62-14 victory over Asbury. 

“We just got to be better,” said Asbury head coach Matt Harris. “We just gotta fix some of the small stuff. It is just minor stuff that we can fix and we are going to keep working on it.” 

With the loss, the Rams now sit at an 0-3 overall record and 0-1 in area play. DAR improves to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in area play. 

DAR would start the game on offense first. It would only take four plays to get in the end zone as the Patriots used a strong run game to score their first six points. DAR quarterback Anthony Cruz would rush in the Patriots first touchdown from 32-yards out to give DAR an early 7-0 lead. 

Asbury’s first offensive possession would be short as the Rams struggled to gain yardage after two incomplete passes. The Patriots defense would force a punt. 

At the 51-yard line, the Patriots continued with a strong run offense that was kicked off by a first down run by Hayes Esslinger. After another first down run by Esslinger, DAR would run in another score by receiver Nathan Hughes to up their lead to 14-0 over the Rams. 

Congratulations to your 2026 Asbury Homecoming Queen Maria Corona! Photo by DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader

After the DAR defense would force another three-and-out on the Rams, the Patriots would go on to add another touchdown run with Esslinger scoring from 2-yards out. DAR would carry a 20-0 lead into the second quarter. 

Despite another three-and-out by the Asbury offense, the Rams defense would make a big play on the Patriots next offensive possession with Jordy Franco recovering a fumble to give the Rams the ball at the 39-yard line. 

The Ram’s next offensive possession started strong with a good run by quarterback Blake Hillis but a sack by DAR’s Jaydon Hastings would stop the Asbury momentum. The Rams would end up turning the ball over on downs. 

DAR kept the ball rolling on their next possession as they continued their strong rushing attack to score another touchdown in seven plays. Esslinger would run in his second touchdown of the night from 8-yards out to give DAR a 27-0 lead. 

Asbury’s next offensive drive would be their best as Hillis would use his arms and legs to produce multiple first downs for the Rams. Hillis’ best weapon in the drive was Levi Jacoby who caught two big passes which included a 23-yard touchdown. 

To end the half, DAR would capture two more rushing touchdowns with Esslinger and Hastings scoring. The Patriots entered halftime with a 41-6 lead. 

To open up the second half, DAR would continue to add on to their lead with a Jordan Hopkins Jr. rushing touchdown. 

Despite the game being out of reach, the Rams continued to show fight as they would produce another scoring drive behind big plays from Hillis, Jacoby and Franco. Franco and Hillis would start the drive with two big runs that gained first downs. Hillis would make another deep toss to Jacoby to get the Rams at the 1-yard line. Hillis would cap off the scoring drive with a quarterback keeper. 

In the end, DAR would go on to take the 62-14 win over Asbury. The Patriots would break the single game school record for most points scored in a game with 62 on Thursday night. 

“We are just trying different things and there are growing pains,” Harris said. “We fight and we will continue to fight.” 

Up next for the Rams is a Class 3A, Region 8 home matchup against New Hope while the Patriots will host the Plainview Bears. Both matchups will be on Sept. 11 with kick off set for 7 p.m.

Asbury running back Jayson Diejuste fights off a DAR defender. The Patriots would go on to take a 62-14 victory over the Rams on Thursday night. Photo by DRUW GIAMALVA | The Leader