Ramsay quarterback Kameron Keenan threw six touchdown passes, four of which went to Kristian Stinson, and the second-ranked Rams bludgeoned their way to a 49-17 victory over No. 1 Pleasant Grove on Friday in a Class 5A, Region 5 showdown at Birmingham’s Legion Field.

Ramsay (3-1, 2-0) forced a turnover on downs inside its own red zone on the opening possession of the game, but gave the ball back with a three-and-out on the ensuing drive.

The Spartans built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter with defensive lineman Andre Watts crashing in from a yard out and Mamadu Berry adding a 22-yard field goal. Pleasant Grove would not score again until Jordan Smith scored on an 8-yard run, trimming the deficit to 21-17 with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Ramsay finally found the end zone early in the second frame, scoring on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Keenan to Stinson, and took a 14-10 halftime lead on a 68-yard touchdown pass to Tremell Washington in the final minute of the opening half.

The Rams opened the third quarter by driving into the Pleasant Grove red zone, but came away empty-handed following a missed 30-yard field-goal attempt. The Spartans went three-and-out on the next possession and Keenan wasted no time finding Stinson for a 43-yard touchdown on the first play of Ramsay’s second drive of the half.

After allowing the Spartans to cut the lead down to a single possession, Ramsay gave up the ball on a fumble, but recovered its own on a strip-sack of Pleasant Grove quarterback Eric Handley. The Rams scored two plays later on a 12-yard scoring pass from Keenan to Stinson, their third scoring connection of the game.

On the ensuing drive, Pleasant Grove went three-and-out and Jamarcus Jones blocked a punt that was seemingly returned for a score by QB Reese, but called back on a penalty. Keenan and Stinson connected for the fourth time on a scoring pass four plays later to take a 35-17 lead early in the final quarter.

Pleasant Grove (2-1, 1-1) was held to a three-and-out and a turnover on its final two possessions as the Rams extended their advantage by two scores in the final moments of the contest.

Keenan threw his sixth touchdown pass to Washington for a 42-17 lead and Fletcher Taylor picked off Handley and returned the interception 30 yards for the final score of the game.

Star of the game: Stinson. The senior receiver found space time and again and finished with a game-high eight receptions for 205 yards and four touchdowns.

“We worked hard this week, but they doubted us. They said we’d either win by one or two points or lose by 10. We worked hard and practice paid off. They played off a lot and we went short route until they came down and we went over the top,” he said.

By the numbers: 6, the number of passes attempted by Pleasant Grove in the second half and the number of touchdown passes thrown by Ramsay’s Keenan. …3, the number of consecutive wins for Ramsay in the series, in which the Rams own an 8-4 record.

Stat sheet: Ramsay – Keenan was 23-for-37 passing for 339 yards, six touchdowns and an interception, and Ashton Ashford was held to 21 yards on 12 rushing attempts. Washington finished with six catches for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensive end Karlos May recorded two sacks, Jones blocked a punt and Taylor returned an interception 30 yards for a score. Pleasant Grove – Handley was 14-of-25 for 192 yards and an interception, and Colin Moore added 33 yards on 14 rushing attempts. Smith paced the running game with 18 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown, and Clarence Taylor led the receiving effort with five catches for 144 yards.

Coachspeak: “The goal is always to stay humble and hungry. Our guys, their kids and they forget sometimes, and it’s our job as coaches to keep them level-headed. It’s not easy, but they come out and play, and I’m proud of them.” — Ramsay coach Ronnie Jackson

“Maturity showed tonight. We had an opportunity in the red zone three times tonight, were up 10-0 and didn’t get a chance to capitalize. We have to continue growing and playing hard. Got to go back to the drawing board and find out what guys really want to play Pleasant Grove-type football.” — Pleasant Grove coach Darrell LeBeaux

He said it: “Our team is young, we have only one senior (on defense), but we’re a family now. We had a little bust at the beginning of the game, but after halftime, we came together as a team.” — Reese

What’s next? Ramsay travels to Fairfield, while Pleasant Grove returns home to host Hayden.