4th & Long: Rangers Overpower the Chargers
Our recent article of the Smithson Valley Rangers, Freshmen Blue team, has become quite popular with the patrons out at the Jumbo Evans Sports Complex. So, the Ranger Reporter decided to continue its coverage of the team by attending their big Week 2 matchup against the Boerne Champion Chargers. I can tell you that we were certainly not disappointed as we were able to witness the best Smithson Valley Youth Football game of the weekend.
The day started with the echoes of opening day beginning to crescendo in the early morning hours as the anticipation grew for the 9:00 AM kickoff at Jumbo Evans Sports Complex. Sounds of the pads cracking together, cheers for little Johnny buckling his own chin strap, kids begging for a Kona Ice, and the overpowering screams of parents berating the referees for daring to allow their precious little Percival to be de-cleated by a kid twice his size and on the verge of shaving. Starting the day with dozens, if not hundreds, of fans lining up eager to capture the moment their child’s name is called out by the PA Announcer on their iPhones. All while thinking of the best caption to display the moment on Instagram. This will no doubt cause overwhelming feelings of pride, passion, and the idea that your child is probably a prodigy.
There was certainly a different feel to this game for the Rangers. From the time he set foot on the field, Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator Scott Shepperd could not sit still. So jacked up for the game, he almost looked as if he was looking for someone to headbutt. He made it known to his team that nothing else mattered for the next two hours except this game with this opponent. That message and Shepperd’s energy carried over from pre-game warmups to the game.
From the opening “kickoff”, the Rangers proved they were too much for the Chargers. The vaunted Ranger defense forced a “punt” on the Chargers opening possession putting the ball in the hands of the very potent Ranger offense. On the Rangers opening possession, it only took a few plays for a Dylan Butz rushing touchdown to start the scoring barrage. The Rangers would continue to score on 5 of their 6 offensive possessions while holding the Chargers out of the endzone for a decisive 35-0 victory.
One of the reasons the Rangers were able to pitch the shutout was the play of Asher Riffle who tracked down a Chargers running back from behind late in the third quarter on what looked to be an easy 50-yard touchdown run. “We condition at the end of every practice for plays just like that.“ Riffle began. “Sprints, 20-yard bear crawls, suicides, Indian runs, 5-minute leg lifts, up-downs…relentless effort is what coach preaches. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Win each play. We don’t like it. We cry a lot, but we’re better for it. At least that’s what they tell us.” Riffle continued. “Just happy to contribute to the butt-whoopin’.”
Another bright spot was Hunter Bailey’s performance that included four fumble recoveries on the day, 1 defensive and 3 offensive. We had a chance to catch up with Bailey in the medical tent. “This is kind of my place of zin. I always come here after a game to get some fluids and replenish from the heat.” he said with two medical staff tending to him. “Regarding the fumble recoveries? Look, I’m just happy to give my team extra possessions. If the ball is on the ground, I’ll find it.”
Christian “Where Are My Red Gloves” Jordan, who took home the JYD (Junkyard Dog) belt, stopped to talk with us. “We owed them one. I think they got it today.” Jordan said. The Ranger Reporter asked him to clarify what they were owed. “I’m not really sure. Coach just told us that we owe them one from last year. Maybe he borrowed something from them?” he responded. “I think Coach Shepperd gave them what they were owed at the end of the game, but the other team’s coach started to get mad because maybe he didn’t pay him back the right amount. They started to argue about how much was owed.” he continued. “It got loud, but I think they finally got it right though.”
Assistant Coach Ed Bailey was fired up after the win. “We stayed undefeated today. 2-0, baby!” he said while pumping his fists. “They thought they could match our intensity, but even their coach couldn’t yell as loud as I was. I consider that a win within the win. Undefeated!”
It was exciting. It was loud. It was probably the most electric atmosphere we’ve been a part of involving 1st and 2nd graders.