The Rangers JV football season came to a close this past Thursday, but the team proved that they are one of the top rosters in one of the toughest districts in Texas, finishing 9-1. This game turned out to be an offensive shootout; with the Rangers putting up 56 points in an impressive 56-13 route of the Richardson Eagles.
For the Rangers, the plan was simple, as Coach Jonathan Short put it, “We wanted to finish the season on a high note and end 9-1 for the year.” The Rangers were able to do just that, with the JV finishing with one of the best records in a while.
The game got off to a fast start with Quarterback Rusty Landon ’16 completing several passes to drive the ball 81 yards down the field. The drive was capped off by a 25 yard touchdown pass to Wide Receiver Mac Elliott ’16, who dove in the end-zone to catch the ball to put the Rangers up 7-0.
Although the Rangers allowed the Eagles to return the ball to the 50 on the ensuing kick off, they were able to force a turnover on downs with a crucial sack by Defensive End Austin Koehler ’16. The offense responded with a long 73 yard drive down the field with a long run by Landon and a 25 yard touchdown reception by Elliott on a 27 yard pass, his second of the night.
On the following kickoff for the Rangers, Kicker Marco Navarro ’16 surprised the Eagles with an onside kick that was recovered by the Rangers. Wide Receiver Mack Wageman ’16 then helped the Rangers advance the ball to the 25 yard line on a 20 yard slant reception. Landon then cut between two linebackers on a 25-yard run, carrying a player into the end zone with him to put the Rangers up 21-0.
After the third Ranger kickoff, the first quarter came to a close with the Rangers at a 21-0 advantage. The Eagles opened the second quarter with the ball and were able to gain three first downs before scoring on a 60 yard pass play to put the game at 21-7.
The Ranger offense picked up where they left off with Running back Liam Nolan ’15 rushing the ball 30 yards behind Guard Matt Metz ’16 to put the Rangers at the 40 yard line. When the Eagle defense held the Rangers to fourth down, Landon responded with a clutch 35 yard touchdown pass to Luke Laufenberg ’16, bumping the score to 28-7.
Linebacker Spencer Barnet ’16 was in on an 8 yard sack on the opening play of the Eagles’ drive. Needing 18 yards for a first down, the Eagles tried to complete two long pass plays but Cornerback Luke Kelley ’16 had stellar coverage, forcing a three and out.
Jesuit started on their own 35, and Coach Short called for some trickery. The Rangers completed a hook-and-ladder play to Wageman, who then pitched it to Elliott who then ran the ball 65 yards for a touchdown. With the score at 35-7 the Eagles began to tire.
Following a holding call, the Eagles were forced to start with first and 20 at their own 25 yard line. However, they scored on a 75 yard passing play that was almost identical to their other touchdown. The PAT was then blocked and the Rangers still had a commanding 35-13 lead with three minutes to go.
With the ball at their own 45 yard line, Landon completed a long pass to Wageman, who then took the ball to the opponents’ twelve yard line. The drive was capped off by a four yard quick slant to Wageman, with Landon registering his fifth touchdown of the night.
With the first half coming to a close, the Rangers were winning 42-13. Landon was very impressed with the way his team’s start, stating, “We were able to put them away early in the game and our offense continued to dominate, not letting up.”
The defense proved their dominance on the opening drive of the second half when they forced a fumble on the next Eagle drive, giving the Rangers the ball with only 25 yards to go. Following a 20 yard screen to Wageman, Landon rushed the ball in for his second rushing touchdown of the night. With four touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns through only two and a half quarters, Landon was off to his best start.
The second half slowed down for both teams, and both the Eagles and Rangers chose mainly rushing plays. With several stops, the Rangers forced a punt and Landon carried the ball 65 yards on the second play of the drive, bringing the Rangers all the way down to the Eagles’ 10 yard line. Elliott then scampered in for a touchdown. With the lead at 56-13 neither team scored again.
The defense ended the game with a very solid stop on third down against a driving Eagles offense. With the game coming to a close at 56-13, a few key players in this game were Mac Elliott ’16 (3 receiving TDs and 1 rushing TD) and QB Rusty Landon ’16 (5 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs).
Coach Short was very impressed with the outcome. Short added that the Rangers “had a number of guys who stepped up and played well. We continued to show that we continue to get better each week.”
Short was also very impressed with his team over the course of the whole season, finishing second in district to Skyline. He explained that “[they] continued to get better each week and came out and played hard every opponent [they] lined up against.” Short went onto say that he looks forward to seeing their improvement this spring during practices.
This Ranger squad has proved to be stellar all year and have a bright future ahead of them.
