OUSHATTA, La. — The Wilkinson County Christian Academy Rams wasted no time in giving first-year head coach Christopher McGraw his first win as they pulled away in the second half for a 27-6 win over the Riverdale Academy Rebels Friday night.

And it was the running game and some aggressive defense that were the keys to WCCA’s victory. Caleb Poole and Steven Franks combined for nearly 200 yards and three of the Rams’ four touchdowns while their defense held Riverdale to 91 yards of total offense.

“Both of them ran the ball hard. Franks is real physical. He’s about 220 pounds. He doesn’t try to run away from the defense. Then Caleb came in there with his speed,” McGraw said.

Of the 326 total yards of offense by the Rams, 309 of them were on the ground. Poole finished with 99 yards on 10 carries while Franks had 97 yards on just seven carries. Which made up for a lack of passing by quarterback Phillip Cutrer, who was just 1-of-5 for 17 yards with no interceptions.

However, the final score could have been even more lopsided. WCCA had at least four touchdowns called back by penalties.

As for the Rams’ defensive performance, McGraw said, “We played well. The defensive line was flowing to the ball real well. The linebackers did a great job.”

Franks led the way with six tackles and three sacks while Sam Nicholas had six tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery, and Hutch Holden added six tackles and one sack.

“This is the first time we’ve started 1-0 in three years. Every game is going to mean a lot more than it used to out of (district),” McGraw said.

WCCA (1-0) hosts Central Private School at 7 p.m. next Friday.