4th & Long: Rangers zap the Jackets
If you’ve been following this publication, then you know the Smithson Valley Rangers, Freshmen Blue Team, have been making some noise across the Hill Country Youth Football organization. That noise just got more intense as the Rangers were dominant during their Week 7 matchup against the Kingsland Jackets for a decisive 33-0 victory. The win moves the Rangers to 7-0 on the season with an eye on completing an undefeated regular season against the Blanco Panthers next Saturday.
With the team huddled up for the pre-game pep talk, it was clear that Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator Scott Shepperd wanted his boys in the right mindset and avoid the team becoming complacent. “If you aren't pissed off for greatness, then that means you’re OK with being mediocre.” Shepperd began as the team started to giggle as if he was about to get in trouble for his choice of words. “They may be from Kingsland, but right now you are king of the hill. To stay atop that hill, you have to be a JYD (junkyard dog). A JYD that has scars all over his body from the fight he took to get on top of that hill and to stay on top of that hill.” he continued. “Being 6-0 means nothing if you don’t get to 7-0. You must have competitive stamina to achieve perfection.” he said as whispers started amongst the player. “Coach, what did you mean by that?” asked Jacob “Juice” Owens. “Mean by what?” Shepperd responded. “Everything you just said.” said Owens with the entire team nodding their heads in agreement with the requested clarification. With his arms crossed and face in his palm, “just keep playing hard” Shepperd said exasperated. Whatever the take way was from each player, it seemed to work. The defense dominated from the first snap allowing just 19 total yards on the day. The offense was just as dominant.
Jaxson “Jackie-san” Wiatrek, one of many two-way players, had a big day on both sides of the ball earning himself the popular JYD belt. He finished with 76 yards rushing including a 42-yard touchdown run offensively. He was just as impressive on the defensive side of the ball containing the edge with 4 tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. “I gotta tell you, man, standing here with this thing on is special.” Wiatrek said as he gazed down at the belt around his waist. “Walking around the house having my brother brag about how he’s had the belt, and I haven’t has made things pretty miserable at home. It’s my turn to wear this bad boy everywhere I go.” he said looking over at his brother Chastin. “I’m just glad it goes with everything I wear. It even matches my Paw Patrol jam-jams. It could be a new character on the show. It could be like a guest Rottweiler pup that actually lives in a junkyard.”
Just as dominant on defense was Beau “Breaux” Bailey, sporting some new bling on the grill, who played opposite Wiatrek on the defensive line. The Jackets attempted a couple runs early on in Bailey’s direction, but quickly decided that was a bad idea and ran to the other side of the defense the rest of the game. “I told you before, Beau Bailey was born to do two things.” Bailey reminding us of his Week 1 interview. “I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale, only last week I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. I'm so mean I make medicine sick.” Bailey said channeling his inner Muhammad Ali. ”They didn’t sting like no bee. Their uniforms looked more like a honeycomb. And they certainly didn’t want no part of me.”
Just as Wiatrek and Bailey dominated on defense, Boston “Moolay” French was the spark on offense. French led all rushers by putting up Madden type numbers finishing with 178 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns. “Samson got his power from his long hair. Thor has his hammer. Wendy Peffercorn had her red lipstick. I get my strength and power from the pink sleeve.” French said pointing down to his pink sleeve in support of breast cancer. “Imagine what I could do if my dad could find my other pink sleeve. I would basically be a more athletic Lamar Jackson.”
It was another dominant win. The Rangers hope to continue their run and finish the season undefeated, but Coach Shepperd knows its going to take competitive stamina. Even if the players don’t understand what it means.