The Pleasant Ridge Rams entered Friday night’s contest with Maur Hill-Mount Academy on a hot streak winning six straight since their season opening 30-42 loss to Class 4A-I Atchison.

The Rams continued their strong play against the Ravens as they used over 340 yards of total offense to hold off a furious second half MH-MA rally to claim a 32-27 win and an outright Northeast Kansas League title.

Pleasant Ridge struck first on their opening possession going 71 yards in 15 plays capped off by a Jagar Haack four-yard touchdown rush. Senior quarterback Nick Holmes connected with senior slot back Jared Schmalstieg on the two-point conversion try to give the Rams an 8-0 lead with 7:24 left in the opening quarter.

The Ravens didn’t waste any time in responding. On their first play from scrimmage senior running back Harry Trotter took a hand-off, bounced to the outside, and went 65 yards to the house to pull MH-MA within one.

From there it was all Pleasant Ridge in the first half as Holmes added two more scores: a 13-yard rush and a seven-yard TD to make it 24-7 in favor of the Rams. Haack added a 61-yard rush late in the half and the Rams led 32-7 at the break.

Cue the Raven comeback.

Maur Hill-Mount Academy needed something to give them a spark after going three-and-out on their first offensive possession of the second half.

They got just that as the Rams fumbled the punt putting the Ravens in business at the Pleasant Ridge 20 yard line.

MH-MA took advantage as senior quarterback David Olberding scampered in from eight yards out on third-and-goal to pull the Ravens within three scores, 32-14.

The Raven defense then forced a three-and-out and picked up a quick score on a Harry Trotter 10-yard rush to make it a 32-20 ballgame with 36 second left in the third.

Both teams would trade possessions in the opening minutes of the fourth, and on a Pleasant Ridge punt the football went off the back of a Ram lineman setting up MH-MA with great field position at their own 39.

The Ravens wasted no time taking advantage of the field position as Olberding connected with sophomore Matthew Schrick on a 61-yard bomb to make it a five point game.

The Rams picked up a pair of first downs on their next possession and burned the final 5:28 to pick up the win.

Holmes finished with 137 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns, while Haack capped off his night with 95 yards on 11 carries and a couple of scores.

Trotter followed up his career night last week with 164 yards on the ground and a pair of TD’s. Olberding finished with two scores on the night, one on the ground and one through the air, as he completed five of six passes for 83 yards.

Pleasant Ridge (7-1, 2-0 in district) claimed a playoff spot and will host ACCHS next week. MH-MA (6-2, 1-1) travels to McLouth next Friday needing a win to earn a spot in the postseason.