Football team battled the Steele Knights to take home a historic win over the undefeated district champs the past eight years in a 43-20 blowout on the Knights’ home turf.

The Knights came into the game with high hopes as they looked to continue their 41-game wining streak against district opponents, along with a stacked lineup of players, some of whom will soon be playing on Saturdays such as University of Texas commit safety Caden Sterns and Rice University commit running back Brendan Brady.

Head Coach Larry Hill achieved his 251st win Friday while defeating Steele for the first time.

Steele came out strong, holding the team scoreless throughout the first quarter and scored in the opening minutes off a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Brendan Brady.

The Rangers did not go away though, rallying around junior running back Nick Akin, as he suffered a separated shoulder, in the late minutes of the first quarter.

 The team fought back in the second quarter of play with two consecutive rushing touchdowns by junior quarterback Levi Williams who led the team in rushing with 101 yards on the night. Steele was not yet discouraged as it answered back with a 12-yard rushing touchdown of its own by running back Brady.

After recovering a kickoff with 13 seconds left in the half, Williams hit senior receiver Ricky Rios stride for stride on a 22-yard passing touchdown to put the team on top heading into halftime at 20-14.

The team shut out the Knights in the third quarter ] with senior CJ Keuhler providing a defensive presence, sacking Steele’s quarterback Onyx Smith four times. Senior wide received Mason Pierce scored twice with 15- and 9-yard rushing touchdowns to steer the Rangers into a 33-14 third quarter lead.

They scored once more with junior running back Marc Franco running by defenders on a 20-yard rushing touchdown, ensuring the 40-23 victory.

The team joined Clemens, Canyon and Judson as victors in Week One, creating a current four-team tie for first in the district. After the victory, the team now looks to secure its second district win against the East Central Hornets at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Ranger stadium.