Rams proving they’re for real on the football field

Rockville 31, Richard Montgomery 19

‘‘This makes us feel really good,” said junior quarterback Malcom Robinson, who rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries Saturday. ‘‘We were the underdogs coming into [Saturday’s] game and we really stepped up. It’s really important for us to win this game, we’re showing we’re a stronger team and what we’re capable of. But that’s over and now we have to just focus on the next game [against Einstein Thursday].”

The Rams’ resurgence has sparked a renewed interest in the program. And they dazzled the hundreds of spectators who made the trip to Montgomery College Saturday with their offensive versatility. Rockville accrued 312 yards on offense.

Rockville has outscored its opponents, 52-19, in just two games. And has relied on a number of offensive threats to do so. Four different players — Robinson (2), senior split end Jeremy Shumway, senior running back Tarik Paul (19 carries, 91 yards) and senior running back Daniel Coelho — scored the Rams’ five touchdowns against Richard Montgomery.

‘‘We made big plays, but they also made big plays, but we didn’t stop,” Robinson said. ‘‘And that’s discipline. Everyone on our offense plays a part. If we all work together and we’re on the same page, we can go far.”

Richard Montgomery’s emotions Saturday were on the opposite end of the spectrum Saturday. With their school under renovation, the Rockets don’t have many athletics facilities on campus to use. The constant travel — they take a bus to Julius West Middle School for practice every day — and always feeling like the visiting team, has taken its toll early.

Despite that, the Rockets (0-2 record) showed glimpses of their potential and their promising future at times Saturday. Sophomores teamed for two of RM’s three touchdowns — quarterback Andre Brown launched a 77-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaquian Moore and Moore scored on an 8-yard run. Senior halfback Gary Frazier scored the Rockets’ other touchdown, cutting the Rams’ early lead to 13-7 midway through the second quarter on a 20-yard run.

‘‘One thing people don’t understand is this is a transient program,” Richard Montgomery coach Steve Forsythe said. ‘‘We’re on a bus every day to practice. We don’t have a field, so we feel like an away team. That makes a difference. I think our kids played well today. They came out strong and moved the ball. The message to the kids today is they didn’t lose this game, they just didn’t win it.”

Winning early was crucial for the Rams, trying to build upon last year’s success. But as well as they’ve played early and as much physical talent as they possess, they won’t harp on each individual win. They won’t settle until they’ve brought home the state title and knowing there’s much room for improvement in the next few months, keeps them driven.

‘‘It’s still early in the season,” Maradei said. ‘‘We still need to come together. We made a lot of stupid penalties and didn’t finish plays in the second half. I think it’s good the team knows there’s still a lot we can work on. I expect us to start showing signs of our maturity by the Clarksburg game [Oct. 19].”