Dec. 5, 1977: A special extra edition of The Journal was dedicated exclusively to the Roaring Fork Rams’ victory in the state football championships. The seniors on the team had begun their high school careers alongside head coach Rocky Whitworth in the fall of 1974 — which also happened to be when the team joined class AA.
Playing in a different league than the team’s previous state title, they nevertheless went 12-1 for the ‘77 season, and became known as a “giant killer” after victories over bigger schools like Glenwood Springs, Gunnison and Sheridan.
The final game against the Brush Beetdiggers was played at home. With no points in the first quarter, quarterback Neil Jensen put on the heat and made two unanswered touchdowns for the Rams before the half — with plenty of help from John Yocom and Alan Joyner and Mike Stark contributing the PATs to bring the halftime score to 14-0. On the defense, Gary Soucie, Scott Maynard and Rob Goodwin all warranted mention. Yocom later contributed a 94 yard touchdown before Brush managed to forestall a shutout with a 50 yard touchdown and a two point conversion.
As the momentum began to swing, however, a safety and a controversial possession call gave the Rams a chance to run away with it — and they did. Two touchdowns from Joyner, a two point conversion, another PAT and a 90 yard last ditch toss by substitute QB Darryl Albert brought the final score to 44-8 Rams.