There was no doubt that there was doubt. People said this year was a building year. That the team lost too many offensive powerhouses. That the schedule was too much to overcome.

The most common predictions were 4-6, 5-5, and the occasional 6-4, with the optimistic few and far between.

But the Rams decided to defy expectations this season, taking the stigma set by those around them and disregarding it completely. After the dust of the regular season had settled, Spring-Ford’s football team emerged head and shoulders above the average estimates with their 8-2 regular season record.

The team knew what they were capable of, banding together and delivering quite a few startling wins throughout the season, as well as a few close games that very easily could’ve easily been another tally in an otherwise impressive win column. The season was an intricate canvas of big plays, defensive stands, and overall quality ball.

It was hard to describe the offense’s form and overall structure, but whatever you’d like to call it, it worked.

The team averaged 36 points a game, with plenty coming from the strong scramble ability of junior quarterback Ryan Engro, as well as the athletic ability of receivers Dante Bonanni and Noah Baker.

There was no doubt that the offense was productive as they had nine out of 11 games where they scored over 30 points, the highlight being the 66 points put up during the Homecoming game in late September.

The defense was blessed with returning starters, an advantage they took to the fullest. The line was a force to be reckoned with, as the linebacker core wreaked havoc against both the run game as well as in coverage. The secondary was also a spot of focus, with every member of the starting squad recording at least one interception this past year.

And on a legendary note, a record was reached this season as kicker Taylor Smith tied the Spring-Ford all-time scoring record, now coholding the title with former kicker Owen Gulati at 110 points.

Smith, who was a soccer player that came into the fold his sophomore year when a new kicker was needed, only missed the mark due to the team going for a 2-point conversion in the 4th quarter during the team’s last game. Regardless, Smith deserves the recognition for achieving such a monumental record.

Overall, the season was a success as the team went above and beyond what was predicted, handing out a slew of wins and fairly drastic victories. Another district run was also in the cards, but it was ended short by Downingtown East in a rainy, miserable home game.

Despite the disappointing home loss to, well, you know who, the team went undefeated against every other team in the PAC, blowing out CB South, Norristown, Methacton, Boyertown, OJR and PJP by 3 possessions.

A congratulation is in order for this year’s seniors, who left a lasting impression on the program and its legacy. And while the majority of this year’s starting O-Line and Defense are graduating, there are still plenty of returning bright spots (Engro, James Albert, Andrew Yoon, Grant Sillyman and Nick Teets, to name a few) that’ll be back next season.