This past Friday Night, thousands of fans rolled into Postell Stadium with joy and excitement as Jesuit Ranger Football season had finally returned. The atmosphere was perfect, and the Rangers were determined to set the tone for what would be expected this season.
The Rangers came into the game without any “Offseason Rust.” They looked fundamentally sound, and the team chemistry appeared strong. One of the reasons Coach Hickman said the Rangers looked so prepared was the fact that “everyone works out in the off season and over the summer because that’s where you make the biggest gains both mentally and physically.” Jesuit Head Coach Brandon Hickman commented on how the team looked in the offseason by saying “our players enter camp in great shape. The more you invest in something the harder it is to surrender when faced with adversity. Our kids have put time and hard work into our program and I’m proud of them.”
The Rangers faced a tough foe in Arlington Bowie, a team that got the better of them last year. Arlington Bowie’s high powered defense dropped a whopping 74 points on the Ranger D last year. However, Coach Hickman made it clear that last year’s game was not on their mind, and they just wanted to focus on “playing really hard and bringing a ton of energy as a team.” Also, senior captain and defensive leader Ryan Brooks said, “we knew headed into the game that last year meant nothing. We have a lot of new beasts, and we knew we had what it took to get the job done.”
Right out of the gate the Ranger’s offense was able to get clicking. The doubts surrounding the quarterback position after the departure of Bo Schneider ’15 were quickly blown away as Junior Jacob Palisch dazzled in his varsity debut. Senior running back Adam Holtz started the party early in the first quarter when he pounded his way into the end zone.
However, the story of the game was the Jesuit Defense, who let up only 110 total yards, making them the number one 6A defense. Junior defensive end Jordan Rice ’17 said, “we went into the game with a lot of confidence. We truly believe we can compete with anyone, and I believe we proved that. Even though we had a lot of key players go down with injuries, we had big guys step up.” Two key players who really stepped up in their new role were Juniors Michael Schoettmer and Lucas Kincade.
The Rangers were able to secure a 21-0 lead headed into the half with rushing scores from Palisch and Senior wide receiver Max Loughborough. The Rangers really set the tone by opening the second half with an onside kick. Senior kicker John Wengierski played the situation perfectly, and the Rangers recovered. Junior wide receiver John Wunderlick said, “when Coach told us about the onside kick we were all pumped, because we knew if we could recover and get a quick score, then we could carry the momentum to the end.” That is exactly what the Rangers did as Palisch connected with Senior Connor Lanpher on a touchdown through the air.
After another Loughborough score and an interception by Junior John Guzman, the Rangers were able to cement the victory and shut out their opponents 35-0. Guzman said, “It was a big team win, and I’m just glad I got the opportunity to show out for my team.”
Hickman said the entire team played well, and he was impressed with all aspects of the game. He also said that, “winning your first game against a very athletic team who has a solid program and is always a playoff contender over the years is a confidence builder. I’m excited about this team’s attitude and they are fun to coach and be around. We have some momentum and want to keep that train moving in the right direction. Our seniors understand that it’s a process and everyone on this team plays a key role. If everyone does their job to their best abilities, we will keep building that momentum throughout the season, which is our goal.”
Senior Ryan Brooks wanted to make it clear that Friday’s game was “simply a preview of what to expect throughout the year.”
This coming Friday, the Rangers have their next non-district game against the formidable Plano East Panthers. Come out and support the team as the travel to Kimbrough Stadium in Murphy, TX.
Offensive MVP’s – Max Loughborough, Matt Metz, Connor Lanpher, Jacob Palisch
Defensive MVP’s – Dane Bender, Nate Thompson, Jordan Rice, Lucas Kincade, Jack Metz
Special Team’s MVP’s – Emmett Flood, John Wengierski
[All MVP’s as decided by the coaching staff]
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