A loud buzzing noise started to creep into stadium. Over time it got louder and louder, stronger and stronger. The image of a small black speck started becoming more visible, and it appeared to be getting closer and closer. Whispers spread throughout the football crowd, what is this strange flying object? A bird? A plane? No, that was an American Eurocopter AS350 flying into Postell Stadium, delivering the game ball for Varsity’s last regular season football game of 2013. And the Rangers won this game versus the Richardson Eagles 41-27. Let’s take a deeper look at last Friday night.
This last game was Senior Night, a night dedicated to the small group of upperclassmen who served as leaders throughout the season. Each senior heard their name called over the speakers, walked out with their family, a gave a rose to their mothers. The seniors would also play most of the game in honor of their hard work and dedication for the past four years.
Head Coach Brandon Hickman described this great class of 2014: “It was great for our seniors to finish the regular season on a high note. This senior group is very special to our coaching staff. They are leaving their mark on this program that not many people on the outside thought could happen after last years success. I think they proved the doubters wrong. This type of team is fun to coach…the underdogs…they come out every week and play with a chip on their shoulder…I’m most proud they have done it with class and represented Jesuit the right way.”
After this ceremony came the helicopter landing (accompanied by the always cheesy Top Gun theme song), which honored our country’s veterans. 
While this past Monday was officially Veteran’s Day, the Rangers still wanted to do something special the week before. Captain and defensive end Justin Rotich ’14 received the game ball from veteran and Jesuit class of ’94 grad Clay Lacey, who came and left with the helicopter. The chopper was coupled with an interesting twist on Jesuit’s uniforms, which featured camouflage pants, alluding to the camouflage worn by soldiers.
“I have never been that close to a helicopter,” Coach Hickman explained, “and it was neat having a Jesuit grad in the military deliver the ball. I don’t think anything can top a helicopter landing on your field before a game. It was an honor to meet our veterans who have served our country and thank them.”
Now let’s look at the game itself.
The Ranger offense started off slow as their first drive ended in a turnover on downs in Richardson territory. Richardson took advantage of this and completed a quick touchdown drive led by quarterback Michael Curtis. Running back Daveon Woods found the end zone with an eight yard rush, putting the Eagles on top of Jesuit 7-0 with 7:31 left in the first.
Not cracking under the pressure of Senior Night, the Jesuit offense responded with a touchdown drive of their own, led by quarterback Bo Schneider ’15. It was Matt Slovak ’15, however, who ended up scoring on a 21 yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing drive, it was the Ranger defense who showed up by forcing Richardson’s  first punt of the game. Unfortunately, the Rangers couldn’t convert after this and they were forced to punt as well. The punt-fest then continued as Jesuit forced a quick three-and-out by the Eagles. Star athlete Orion Salters ’14 was fed up with all the punting, so he decided to return this one for a 65 yard touchdown, putting the Rangers up by a touchdown to end the quarter.
After yet another unsuccessful Richardson drive, Schneider put the ball in hands of senior wide receiver Kellen McAlone, who took the ball 50 yards 
before being brought down. A couple plays later, Schneider connected with Slovak in the end zone on a seven yard pass. Jesuit led 21-7 with about 11 minutes left in the half.
Richardson then responded with their fourth punt of the game. The Eagles, however, lucked out when Schneider failed to see the strong safety on the very next play, resulting in Jesuit’s first interception in a while. Richardson could not capitalize off his mistake, and again punted, giving Schneider another chance to redeem himself. He led another touchdown drive that was capped by a three yard rush into the end zone by Salters. Rangers up 28-0 halfway into the second quarter.
Richardson’s woes finally ended on their next drive as Woods scooted by defenders and rushed the ball 75 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14. This inspired the Eagle defense into forcing a turnover on downs on the ensuing drive, stopping Salters from getting the first down. However, their luck ran out as Curtis was intercepted on their next drive.
After two costly penalties against Richardson totaling 25 yards, Schneider quickly handed the ball off to Salters and Slovak on the next drive. It was Slovak who scored and got his third touchdown of the game to put Jesuit up 35-14.
With 49 seconds left on the clock, Curtis and the Eagle offense couldn’t do much to bite at the Ranger lead. They remained at 14 as the buzzer sounded and headed into the locker rooms down three scores.
The second half was pretty uneventful. Jesuit scored one more touchdown as Schneider connected with McAlone on a 30 yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter. And even Richardson managed to score once more on a rushing touchdown by Tristen Cockrell. These were both in the third quarter and the score was 41-21 going into the fourth.
While Richardson did score again in the fourth quarter on another Cockrell rush, it proved to be too little too late as the score stood 41-27 as time ran out with the Rangers on top.
For those who have been following Jesuit’s district play, this marks their six consecutive win. They finished the season 6-1 in district and are riding this impressive win streak into the playoffs. Coach Hickman described what the win streak means:
“A six game win streak gives us some momentum heading into Friday. I have learned with playoffs, though, you can throw the records out. The room
for error is very small and you have to get hot. We are peaking as a team and I’m excited to see how things turn out. I’m proud of this team no matter what happens but it could be a special post season with the momentum we have right now.”
This win streak was particularly surprising after Jesuit’s slow 1-3 start. What caused the Rangers to really turn things around? Coach Hickman explained their solution:
“The players kept believing in each other and our coaching staff and we never gave up on each other. We knew we had some growing pains to go through early. I’m proud that nobody hit the panic button and we kept improving as a team. Anytime you play 18 out of 22 starters for their first Varsity season you have to grow up pretty quick. We never used being young as an excuse. Â We just worked a little harder and our guys responded well to it.
“Trusting each other and being a family has played a big part in our teams success. We coach our kids hard but have a love and bond with them that’s special. We trust our players and they trust our coaching staff. If you have that sometimes winning will take care of itself.”
Jesuit meets former district foe Plano West in the playoffs this Friday Nov. 15. The game will be played at a neutral site, Kimbrough Stadium in Murphy, Texas. The drive isn’t that bad, so go out and support your Rangers!
