The varsity football team took on powerhouse Judson Friday night, in a 40-37 overtime win for the team. The Rangers dismantled the Rockets last season with a 44-14 victory, leading to high anticipation for this year’s matchup. The 36th nationally ranked Judson Rockets were predicted to win against the Rangers, but were upset with a late touchdown by stand out Trevon Moehrig-Woodard, ultimately clinching the Rangers playoff hopes for the 2017 season.

The team received the ball to start off the game, which lead to the Rangers marching down the field only to be intercepted on Judson’s own 15-yard line. The turnover lead to a Rocket score from star running back Sincere McCormick on a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The team answered back the following drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by junior quarterback Levi Williams. The Rangers continued to cause defensive chaos as they recovered Judson’s first fumble of the season, leading to a 4-yard rushing touchdown by senior receiver Mason Pierce in the final seconds of the first quarter making the score 13-7.

Judson struck first in the early minutes of the second quarter off a 60-yard receiving touchdown from senior wide out Joseph Hudson. The Rockets scored once more on a 34-yard field goal from number one state kicker Shane King. The Rangers responded with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Nick Akin, closing out the first half all tied up at 20-20 as the team headed to the locker room.

The team came out of the locker room focused and quickly went to work, as half way through the third quarter, Williams launched a 97-yard touchdown to wide out Pierce putting varsity back on top 27-20 over the Rockets.

Judson battled back with a drive of their own that resulted in a 2-yard rushing touchdown by running back McCormick. The Rockets continued to fight with a pick six by junior defensive back Michael Washington, giving Judson a 37-30 lead halfway through the fourth. Wide-out Pierce continued his impressive performance with another 15-yard receiving touchdown tying the game. The team’s defense came up with a clutch fumble recovery on Judson’s own 15-yard line, setting up a potential game winning drive with 20 seconds left in the game. With the final seconds ticking by, the team was unable to score and headed into overtime tied at 34.

Judson hit the scoreboard first in overtime with a field goal by King, which put the ball back into varsity’s hands. The team capitalized with a drive of their own, as senior star Trevon Moehrig-Woodard ending the Rockets comeback with a clutch touchdown, clinching a playoff spot for the Rangers. The team took the win in overtime with a final score of 40-37.

The team now shifts focus, as they take on the New Braunfels Unicorns this Friday at 7:30 p.m in Ranger Stadium.