By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Mount Rainier Rams head football coach Tremain Mack did anything but bury his face in his hands after a close 19-7 loss to the Bethel Braves this past Friday,

"Overall we played a decent game, just not enough to win," said Mack, whose team was knotted with the visitors from Graham, 7-7, at halftime. "We played well. We just didn't take advantage of our opportunites. We had a couple of missed turnovers there."

The Rams even ran out to an early lead in the action at Highline Memorial.

Senior running back Renato Contreras punched the ball in on the left side from the 3-yard line, capping off an 11-play drive that began on the Mount Rainier 34.

Tyler Keene's kick for the extra point then successfully slipped through the uprights to put Mount Rainier on top, 7-0, with 10:20 to play in the second quarter.

The Braves evened the score with 6:51 to go.

Quarterback Bryce Missey struck on a 1-yard keeper and Teddy Tate kicked the extra point.

Bethel then marched 71 yards on the opening drive of the third quarter, with Eli Teuteu scoring on a run from the 5-yard line with 6:33 left.
The Braves left the door open for the Rams, though, as Tate missed the PAT to leave the margin at 13-7.

The two teams then battled back and forth before Bethel closed the door with only 3:02 to play in the game.

Zack Neigel caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Missey before a pass for a two-point conversion failed to leave what turned out to be the final score at 19-7.

"We're close, we're close," said Mack. "Right now a lot of kids are out. Once we get some depth we'll be just fine."

Mount Rainier (0-2) hopes to break into the win column Thursday when it plays Kentlake in a 7 p.m. game at French Field, which is located next to Kent-Meridian High School.

From there, the Rams will open South Puget Sound League Northwest Division action with a 7 p.m. home game against Todd Beamer of Federal Way on Friday, Sept. 26.

Other teams in the new Northwest Division are Decatur, Federal Way and Thomas Jefferson.

"We're going to figure it out and win some games," said Mack. "The kids believe it and I believe it."