CAMBRIDGE - Losing a football game is one thing - and that is the reality of what happened to Mooseheart's football team on Saturday when the Red Ramblers fell 44-12 at Cambridge.

But losing class is another thing - and that's something that never befell Mooseheart's players. And it was one of the first things Cambridge coach Larry Stahl - himself a former Mooseheart assistant coach in the 1970s - commented on following the IHSA Class 1A playoff contest.

``They were so polite at the end of the game, wishing us luck,`` Cambridge coach Larry Stahl said. ``It was a pleasure to go against Coach (Gary) Urwiler and have that Mooseheart team come down here.``

The loss ended Mooseheart's first playoff appearance since 1997.

``We're obviously very happy to get back,`` Urwiler said. ``This was a great experience for the boys to be able to play here. This was a good atmosphere to play in.``

Urwiler said he doesn't want the wait to be nine years before the next playoff appearance.

``We got a taste of it and hopefully they want to taste it again,`` Urwiler said. ``Hopefully they'll put the work in during the offseason. This was exciting and a great experience.``

Football in Cambridge is a multi-sensory experience. There were pregame fireworks as the Vikings entered the field. And there were motorcycles on the pregame grass to provide a highly-revved tunnel through which the hosts entered the field.

Mooseheart (6-4) stepped into this cauldron and failed to be intimidated. In fact, the Red Ramblers looked their most cohesive on their opening drive, when they moved the ball into Cambridge territory before a pass interception gave the Vikings the ball.

``Our thing was to try to surprise them on that first drive and that was a big thing to go downfield like we did,`` Urwiler said.

That was the closest Mooseheart came to scoring until Cambridge built its 44-0 lead.

``Other than that first series, our defense played excellent ball,`` Cambridge coach Larry Stahl said. ``I was really pleased with the way the defense played.``

The Vikings rushed for 289 of their 318 yards on the ground.

``We knew defensively how big a chore this was going to be,`` Urwiler said. ``We couldn't combat their size. They're just very big.`

Mooseheart gained 165 yards in the contest, 70 of those coming on Gabe Kendor's seven carries.

Mistakes hurt the Red Ramblers in Cambridge's 17-point second quarter, which pushed the Vikings halftime lead to 24-0. Overall in the first half, Mooseheart had 2 interceptions, a blocked punt and suffered a safety. Cambridge scored on the kickoff following the safety.

``That second quarter went on forever,`` Urwiler said. ``They took advantage of those and they should. They're a good team.``

Mooseheart avoided the shutout on a 51-yard Kendor run late in the third quarter. Floyd Mays caught a 10-yard pass from Chris Morones in fourth quarter.

Mooseheart co-captain Chris Morones gets ready to call the coin toss prior to Mooseheart's playoff game at Cambridge.		Mooseheart quarterback Chris Morones (No. 15) gains yards on the Red Ramblers initial possession against Cambridge.
A sizeable crowd traveled the 150 miles from Child City to watch Mooseheart's first football playoff game since 1997. Members of Geneseo, IL Lodge 990 and Rock Island, IL Lodge 190 also attended the game in support of the Red Ramblers.		Despite Cambridge taking a large lead and eventually winning the game 44-12, the Red Ramblers kept competing through the entire contest. Floyd Mays kept his balance and gained yards in the process.
When the game was over, and Cambridge defeated Mooseheart 44-12, the teams lined up for the traditional handshakes.		After wishing Cambridge well in the rest of its playoff run, the Red Ramblers met at midfield one last time in support of each other, vowing to be just as successful next season.
After the game, Mooseheart's coaches and players ate dinner at Geneseo, IL Lodge 990. The meal was provided jointly by Lodge 990 and Rock Island, IL Lodge 190. Rock Island Administrator Tom Dillon met the team as they arrived.		The Red Ramblers received winter hats in conjunction with dinner. The hats were provided courtesy of the lodge in honor of longtime lodge member Arnie Hostvedt, who recently passed away. Hostvedt's grandchildren, including Kayla Gillis (yellow sweatshirt) and Randall Gillis (orange sweatshirt), handed out the hats.
Mooseheart's team satisfied its appetite with a scrumptious meal, which included Swiss Steak, mashed potatoes, corn, beans and dessert.		From left, Jonell Crump, Damion Moore, Floyd Mays and Anton Winston enjoy the food provided jointly by Geneseo, IL Lodge 990 and Rock Island, IL Lodge 190.
Mooseheart football team members Skie Lindsey (left) and Sam Rind enjoyed their Swiss Steak as well.		Mooseheart's football team gathered for a team photo at Geneseo, IL Lodge 990 in conjunction with the meal the lodge provided for the team following its playoff game at Cambridge.