Prior to kickoff, Randolph celebrated Senior Night. “It was nice to walk out with my family and senior teammates,” said senior Max Eisenberg of the pregame festivities.

With hopes of securing their first win, the Rams were led offensively by junior Matt Skrapits, who stepped in at quarterback for the first time this season. Randolph started strong, moving the ball to midfield, but penalties stalled the drive, which ended with an interception on fourth down.

“It was definitely a challenge stepping in at quarterback, but also very exciting to play a new position and step up for my teammates,” Skrapits said.

Mount Olive capitalized on the turnover, scoring on the team’s opening possession to take a 7-0 lead. The Marauders struck again on their next drive, moving the ball efficiently through the air and on the ground, aided by more Randolph penalties. After a quick three-and-out by the Rams, Mount Olive got the ball back and continued to control the tempo.

Late in the first quarter, Randolph senior Ben Quinn delivered a key sack to slow the Marauders briefly, but Mount Olive ended the quarter up 14-0.

The second quarter began with another Marauder touchdown, extending the lead to 21-0. The Rams offense continued to struggle, going three-and-out again. A failed fake punt gave Mount Olive excellent field position, and the opponents capitalized once more, pushing the score to 28-0.

Randolph sophomore Manny Samaniego gave the Rams a spark with a solid kickoff return to the 40-yard line. On fourth down, with the offense in desperate need of a conversion, Skrapits rolled right and connected with senior Jackson Magley, who made a highlight-reel one-handed catch to keep the drive alive.

Following Magley’s grab and a long run from sophomore Dillon Hines, the Rams were in scoring position. However, they failed to convert on fourth down and turned the ball over again.

Mount Olive responded by extending its lead before halftime. The Rams had little offensive success to answer, and the half ended with Randolph trailing 35-0. “We knew it was an uphill battle, but we were going to do everything in our will to try to get there,” Quinn said of the team’s second-half mindset.

The Marauders opened the third quarter with another long drive, but the Rams defense held firm with a goal-line stand—their first stop of the game. However, the offense could not take advantage and surrendered a safety, pushing the score to 37-0 at the end of the third.

Mount Olive tacked on another touchdown in the fourth to make it 43-0. On the final drive of the game, Randolph avoided a shutout with a rushing touchdown by Magley, bringing the final score to 43-7.

“We have to keep moving forward and leave the past behind us,” Skrapits said.