by In their Thursday night away game, the Vista Ridge Rangers (5-1) held their 4-year winning streak against the Westwood Warriors (4-2).
The first half started off strong for both teams, showing off their impressive talent.
After several gainful drives, Rangers quarterback Jackson Arnot used a 1st and 10 on Warriors 22 to fake a pass before running it in for a touchdown. Warrior cornerback Scott Uffelman blocked the extra point, 0-6.
The Warriors were motivated to score, allowing quarterback Owen Norrell to hand the ball to running back Demani Stewart, who ran it in for a 75-yard touchdown with 7:45 left, 7-6.
Stewart is a major playmaker for the Warriors, despite having never played football prior to his start 3 years ago when he moved to Texas from Jamaica.
The first quarter ended with no further gains.
With 10:30 left, the Warriors used a 3rd and 1 to have Arnot run in for a touchdown, but an unfortunate holding penalty on tight end Michael Davis reversed it.
The ball on Rangers 17, Stewart gained a first down on a 3rd and 11. On the next play, Stewart ran it in for a touchdown, 14-7.
Rangers running back Josaan Gaines left the field with 7 minutes left, a major loss for the Rangers.
The Rangers did not let that stop them as wide receiver James Hester scored a touchdown. On a 2-point conversion attempt, Arnot is crushed but still made the throw to wide receiver Jake Pando, 14-14.
Warriors had the ball back with 3:30 left but were intercepted by Rangers defensive end Kaden Dees.
Rangers used a trick play, passing the ball from running back JD Jackson to Pando to Hester, who threw the ball deep downfield to Jackson.
On a 3rd and goal, linebacker Grant Anderson walked it in from Warriors 5 to score a touchdown. The extra point was no good, 14-20.
With 1:10 left, Warriors wide receiver Lane Wood jumped over the defender to gain a 1st and 10 with a 29-yard catch.
After several incomplete passes, an unsportsmanlike conduct call from the defense put them at the 6-yard line with a 1st and goal. Warriors were still struggling to gain as the clock counted down to 14 seconds, they faked a field goal attempt but were unsuccessful, 14-20 half.
Rangers started with the ball at the half with several gaining plays by Jackson.
Down at Warriors 28, wide receiver Tian Murray took it in for a touchdown. The extra point was missed, 14-26.
The Warriors had the ball back when Norrell was blindsided by a sack. The ball was recovered by the Warriors, who had to punt.
On Rangers 48, the Rangers’ ball went loose, and the Warriors had the recovery.
Stewart was down momentarily and left the game briefly. Back in the game, Stewart got the ball down at the half-yard line before running it in for a touchdown, making it his 16th TD of the season, 26-21.
The fourth quarter began with both teams down a few key players and a clear lack of momentum.
Stewart went down again, clearly banged up, but once again, returned, showing his commitment to the game.
With 2:45 left, Rangers safety Ta’von McAdams made an impressive 44-yard one-handed catch.
An incomplete pass on a 4th and 10, put the ball back in the Warriors’ hands with 1:31 left. Warriors are unable to get anywhere, and the game ends with a Rangers victory, 26-21.
Both teams proved they had drive in them, and look to be important playoff contenders.
Despite Ranger’s loss of Gaines, Jackson proved to be a threat to the Warriors and showed out, while the Warriors showed Stewart is a vital piece of their offense.
The Rangers will defend their turf next week at home on Friday, the 13th, against Stony Point at 7 p.m. The Warriors will try for a home win next week against McNeil on Friday at 7 p.m.
