The Rangers came out on fire and clicking on all cylinders Friday, taking the bi-district championship by blasting Midland Greenwood 35-19 in Plainview.
The Rangers will now go against powerhouse Celina in the area round. (see related story for details).
The Rangers scored in three quarters, including a big second quarter, with 21 points. Their passing game was also on point, with 10 out of 15 completions for 148 yards, and another 303 on the ground.
Greenwood scored first on a long drive that took up most of the first quarter. Starting at their own 26 yard line, they ate up chunks of yardage on long passes to advance to the Ranger 4 yard line. From there John Breeden scored. The extra point was good and Greenwood led 7-0 with 4:53 left in the period.
The Rangers then began a long drive of their own, which extended into the second quarter, highlighted by a 25 yard reception from Abraham Hernandez to Julian Cervantes. Steady ground gains by Isaias Dominguez soon had them at the Greenwood 9 yard line. A. Hernandez got the Rangers to the 4 yard line and Dominguez took it in from there. Tony Cervantes’ extra point kick was good, and the Rangers tied the game 7-7.
Perryton’s defense stepped up in Greenwood’s next possession, forcing a punt.
Perryton started on their own 20 yard line, but after short or no gains by A. Hernandez, Dominguez broke free and outran all defenders 73 yards into the end zone. The extra point was no good, but Perryton took a 13-7 lead with 9:29 left in the first half.
Greenwood’s next turn at the ball was cut short, when on the first play, Ranger Cervantes picked off Ty Flowers’ pass to return the ball back to Perryton. Unfortunately, the Rangers couldn’t capitalize and had to punt it away. Greenwood made some headway down field, but soon had to settle for a 38 yard field goal. It was good, and it was 13-10 Perryton with 5:12 left.
But the Rangers weren’t through yet in the period. On their first play Dominguez ran for 14 yards, followed by a 9 yard gain, and slowly moved the ball forward. Then A. Hernandez completed a 19 yard toss to Cervantes, and the Rangers were at the Greenwood 19 yard line. Three plays later, A. Hernandez connected again with Cervantes for an 11 yard touchdown strike. The Rangers went for two, and Cervantes caught the pass for 2 more. It was 21- 10 with just 1:40 left in the second quarter.
Greenwood, facing short time, couldn’t get closer than the Ranger 23, so kicked a 40 yard field goal as time expired, to go into the locker with Perryton leading 21-13.
Opening up the third quarter, Perryton wasted no time scoring again. Starting at their own 18 yard line, Dominguez again had nice runs, including one for 22 yards, then A. Hernandez hit Cuyler Feger for a 65 yard catch and run to the end zone. The extra point was good, and it was 28-13 Perryton with 10:03 left in the third. That proved to be the only score in the period.
Greenwood found the end zone after a third quarter drought. Working with a short field, they started at the Ranger 49 yard line, and helped by penalties and a long run by Flowers, Breeden caught a 4 yard pass to score with 8:31 left in the game. The 2 point conversion was no good, and the score was 28-19.
Greenwood’s final two possessions in the game ended with interceptions, one by Isaac Castro and the other by Tony Cervantes.
The Rangers, however, had one more score in them. Starting at their own 25, nice running again by Dominguez and A. Hernandez put them at the Greenwood 46 yard line. Dominguez got the nod and scampered 29 yards, to the 27. From there, it was solid running by Stetson Garcia and A. Hernandez before Dominguez punched the ball in from the 3 yard line. The extra point was good, and with 3:06 left, the Rangers took the lead and the win, 35-19.