The Rangers JV football team battled against Zeeland West in a very close game that came down to the wire.
Zeeland West received the kick and started their first drive. The Dux run the infamous “Wing T” formation which is very difficult to play against. Both teams got a shot at the red zone but came up empty on their first drives.
The teams battled back and forth until the Rangers were just outside the red zone, but a penalty set them back and forced a punt. Zeeland West got their crack at the ball from way in their own territory. They had two plays to get to around their own 40. Zeeland West had a big run inside the red zone, but it was cut short by a fumble that was recovered by the Rangers.
On the very next play, Blake Teliczan dropped back and found an open receiver, but the receiver slipped, and the Dux picked it off. That brought the game to a half, and the score was knotted up at 0-0.
Out of the half, the Rangers received the kick to get their drive underway. The Rangers battled their way down the field with a few run and pass plays until they were at the 10-yard line. Blake Teliczan dropped back and looked left and right until he found wide receiver Carson Schick for the 10-yard catch and run touchdown they put the Rangers on the board. Zeeland West received the kick to get their drive started and had a big run play that put them in a great position to finish that drive with a score. The Wing T is tough to stop, and it worked for the Dux as they got the lead after a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. The Rangers’ drive didn’t go well as they fumbled to start the drive off, and the Dux took advantage and scored the two-point was good. Zeeland West led 16-7.
On one of the Rangers’ first plays of the drive, Blake Teliczan threw a 65-yard touchdown to Finn Brunink to narrow the Dux lead to 2. The Rangers could not get the ball back and fell short of the win 14-16.
The Rangers look to bounce back next week against Zeeland East, and “it all starts with the practice the week before,” said running back Michael Badaluco
Besides the loss, the Rangers battled, and so did outside linebacker Griffin Rodal.
“I think the defense went pretty good. We put up a good fight against the Wing T offense they ran, which is really hard to hold.”
The Rangers take on Zeeland East in their next game and hope to get a win.
