4th & Long: Greatest Game You Never Saw
What is the first thing you think of when someone uses the word rivalry? Famous sports rivalries like Yankees vs. Red Sox or Florida vs. Florida State? If wrestling is your thing, it could be Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage or Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair? Perhaps you immediately go to the dark side and think of the Cripps and Bloods? Whatever it used to be, it should now include Smithson Valley vs. Pieper.
The Ranger Reporter attended the rivalry being dubbed ‘The Battle for 1863’ with the Smithson Valley Rangers hosting the Pieper Warriors out at Jumbo Evans Sports Complex, probably the toughest venue to play in youth football. Nine games across all age groups from the freshmen division up to sixth grade. Best out of nine goes home with the belt. A belt that gives off vibes similar to the JYD (Junkyard Dog) belt.
The battle for the belt started off with the hottest team out there. The team you’ve probably heard people talking about standing in the checkout line at HEB or sitting at dinner in the greater Bulverde area. The team that continues to trend on X (formerly Twitter). Trending as much as the dinner destination of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce and the presidential election. We are of course talking about the Smithson Valley Ranger Freshmen Blue Team.
With dew on the ground, the Rangers, Freshmen Blue Team, started the day off at sunrise. The rowdy fans two mimosas deep yelling “you look like the type of kids that fails PE” at the Warrior players during warm-ups. It was clear from that moment that this was going to be an intense battle. Both teams coming in undefeated. Both teams hoping to leave the same way.
The Rangers, Freshmen Blue Team, won the coin toss and decided to defer to the second half giving Pieper the opening ‘kickoff’. On the Warriors opening drive, the Rangers were able to get into the backfield any time they wanted but forgot about the wrap-up, allowing a long touchdown run by Pieper to start the scoring. After the Rangers ‘punted’ on their opening possession, the Warriors were able to evade the immense pressure by the Ranger defense once again and score on another long touchdown run. Unable to convert the extra point on either score, the scoreboard showed 12-0 in favor of the visitors early on. The Rangers were able to respond before halftime with a long run of their own when Christian “Where Are My Red Gloves” Jordan found the endzone off the edge. After the conversion, the Warriors went into halftime with a 12-7 lead.
We were able to catch up with Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator Scott Shepperd right before he went in to talk to his team at halftime. “We just gotta continue to get pressure, remember to wrap-up, and OVERCOME THE ADVERSITY ON THE FIELD!” Shepperd yelled. Obviously disappointed with the two scores that the Rangers seemingly had stopped but couldn’t bring down the Warrior ball carriers.
It could have been a bribe to get his team to play better defense, or more likely a threat of conditioning for the entirety of practice on Monday from Coach Shepperd. Whatever it was it seemed to work. The Rangers defense came out with their hair on fire looking like a completely different team. It almost seemed like they were in the offensive huddle and knew what plays the Warriors were going to run stopping just about everything behind the line of scrimmage.
After a couple of ‘punts’ were exchanged, the Rangers took over at their own 30-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter. With the score still 12-7, the Rangers now needed to put together a drive to walk off the field with the win. That's when the intensity of the game went from moderately interesting to phones down. With parents and Teammates cheering their respective teams on, it was time for Tripp “I Only Sprint For Glory” Shepperd and Boston “Moo-lay” French to go to work. Shepperd picking up 3, 6, 8 yards at a time. The Rangers were able to string together a few first downs and eat up some clock before French eventually punched it in from about 7 yards out to give the Rangers the 14-12 lead with 2:37 left in the game. That's when things went from phones down to phones up and recording. That's when the game went from a typical youth football game to a true rivalry.
The intensity of the game and the hopes and dreams of the team no doubt weighing heavy on the player’s minds. The defense had to stand their ground one more time. With Dylan Butz and French standing on the outside edges of the Ranger defense intensely waiting for the play to come around to their side. Coach Shepperd sniffing out the play and yelling to his defense where the ball was going. “KEEPER!” Coach Shepperd yelled as the Warriors quarterback called his own number off the left side towards French. A gain of about 15 yards before French made the stop. The clock ticking under a minute. Jacob “Juice” Owens can be heard on the sidelines shouting "You got this, Defense! Please stop ‘em!" with his fingers laced together praying that God's plan and Owens's wishes align.
“PASS!” Coach Shepperd again warning his defense. Everybody holding their breath as the quarterback hurled it towards a streaking receiver that was wide-open. Hunter Bailey yelling to the receiver “Your shoes are untied!” as the ball seemed to hang in the air for a lifetime. Finally, the ball fell short of the receiver, about 20 yards short. It was never close. The Ranger defense was able to stop the Warriors on the next two plays as the clock hit zero.
The crowd went crazy. Assistant Coach Ed Bailey sprinted onto the field throwing his water bottle 20 feet in the air. The players embracing one another with fists in the air feeling the significance of the moment.
"I've never seen anything like this!" said Easton “Easy” Bryant. "We never give up. This team has no quit." he continued. Rivers McInnis added "We're going to Disney World!". "Those guys came up big there at the end. Complete team effort." said “Rollin” Royce Wyatt. "I just wish I knew why their center tried to talk to me the entire game." he continued.
Boston French, named after the city in which he was conceived, earned the coveted JYD belt. His stat line not overwhelming, but the plays were huge in big moments. "I knew I had to deliver for the team as I lined up to take the snap on that last offensive drive." said French, standing there with his mullet blowing in the wind. "I told my brother, Tulsa, this morning that I was coming home with the JYD belt. I’m just glad I had the opportunity to play big in a big moment. Coach always tells us 'think big, believe big, act big, and the results will be big'. Coach Shepperd called the perfect play, like he always does, and I was able to punch it in to give my team the lead." he said as he winked in the direction of the coach. " It just feels great to be a champion." French continued. Obviously, Mr. French doesn't know the difference between a regular season game and a championship game, but he was clearly feeling the moment.
The Rangers, Freshmen Blue Team, walked off the field with a 14-12 win and a 4-0 record. With hopes of earning the championship belt later in the season.
It was exciting. It was loud. It was probably the greatest game you never saw.