Ringgold is not a great running team and does not often pass the ball over opposing teams.

On defense, the Rams cannot completely shutdown the run or the pass. Yet coach Jeff Petrucci see his team's lack of a dominating feature as its best asset.

"We have no glaring weakness," Petrucci said when asked about the strength of his team. "We aren't a great passing team and I don't think we are a great running team but we can do both. I don't think we have a big overpowering defense but we can play both the run and the pass."

The veteran coach is in his first year leading the Rams after being an assistant last season, reprising a role he had with the team nearly four decades ago before a coaching stint at Belle Vernon, his team's opponent this past Friday, among other schools, including California University of Pennsylvania.

His experience has helped the Rams enjoy a productive season. Going into last Friday's game, Ringgold was 4-4 overall, but 4-1 and tied with Belle Vernon for second place in the Class AAA Keystone Conference. Both had clinched WPIAL playoff berths and the winner of Friday night's game also earns a home field for the first round.

Mount Pleasant (6-2, 5-0), which played winless Derry Area Friday, had the inside track to the outright conference title and had already clinched the Keystone's top seed.

Petrucci's I-formation offense features two running backs, junior Simon Bekavac and senior Cecil Tartt. Bekavac is more of an elusive, cutback runner while Tartt, at 195 pounds, is more of an explosive power back. Their fullback is Chris Brown.

The passing game is led by senior quarterback Jordan Fowler and his favorite targets this season have been wide receivers R.J. Brownlee, Jake Spaziani and tight end David Bassi.

"We don't have that one dominant receiver," Petrucci said. "They are all productive and they are all capable of catching the ball."

He has to rely on the passing attack this year more than usual because of an undersized offensive line.

Said Petrucci: "By today's standards we are not real big but they get after people."

Senior lineman Ray Munden returned to the front five after missing a few weeks with an injury.

The Rams stumbled out of the gate dropping their first three games as they allowed 43, 39 and 25 points. The defense came together after that during a four-game winning streak, all Keystone Conference games, including two shutouts and limiting Laurel Highlands to only eight points.

"Initially we gave up an awful lot of yards, especially people running the ball on us," Petrucci said. "As of late we have been able to deal with the run a little bit better. We have not totally shut it down but we have been able to put a hold on it."

The defense has been led by senior captains Adam Madar at strong safety and Brown at linebacker. Senior tackle Tyler Leech has anchored the defensive front.

Petrucci did not panic during the 0-3 start. Instead he told his team to persevere and persist. He said his team was doing the right things but just not doing them well enough.

"It's not my first rodeo, I've been around the block a lot and I just go back and go to my strength," Petrucci said. "Players started realizing why they were playing football.

"To be successful, you have to work at it and have to be accountable for your actions. Once they understood it, things kind of fell into place for us."