With 48 seconds left on the clock at Lehnhoff Stadium , all eyes turned to senior kicker and North Texas commit Mason Reid.

The battle on the field came down to a 51-yard field goal kick, with the Rangers’ playoff stakes in jeopardy. The Ranger fans, pin-drop quiet, sat on the edges of their seats.

The ball snapped, the hold manageable, and the field goal good. The visiting crowd erupted as the Rangers beat district rivals Cibolo Steele in 21-19 shootout at Lehnhoff Stadium Oct. 26.

“All my hardwork through practicing has prepared me for that big moment,” Reid said. “I was a little nervous but mostly excited to have an opportunity to go out and do it.”

Senior quarterback Levi Williams led the team in passing and rushing yards, with a combined total of 217 yards of offense. Senior receiver Chris Rivera played a crucial role on Friday, as he netted an average of 42.5 yards per catch. 

Steele came out defending their home turf by scoring a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 5:16 in the first quarter. Both teams battled during this crucial rivalry game, as the Rangers continued to put pressure on the Knights’ offense.  

The Rangers struck first during the second quarter off senior kicker Reid’s 21-yard field goal. After a defensive stop, quarterback Williams led the Ranger offense yard after yard to score once more before with a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 5 seconds left in the quarter. This gave the team a crucial lead heading into halftime with a score of 9-6.

Steele’s offense failed to gain any momentum in the third quarter, as the Ranger defense continued its pressure with sacks and quarterback scrambles. San Antonio All-Star defensive tackle Will Gibbens boosted Ranger momentum with two sacks to bury Steele’s offensive plan. The Rangers managed to score a second field goal halfway through the third, from kicker Reid to make the score 12-6 off a 31 yard field goal.

Tension mounted in the fourth quarter, starting with Steele’s sophomore quarterback Wyatt Begeal squeezing past the defense for a 1-yard touchdown run. The Rangers responded with senior Chris Rivera’s clutch 58-yard receiving touchdown from Williams. A failed two-point conversion left the score 18-12.

The Knights struck their final blow with two minutes left in the game on a 4-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Begeal, and a failed two point conversion put the game at 18-19 with Steele in the lead.

Williams led possibly his best drive of the season with one goal in mind: score. The Rangers faced a fourth and one at Steele’s own 48 yard line. The clock was set at 48 seconds left, and Reid took to the field to kick the longest field goal of the season and his career. Moments later the Ranger defense would hold the Knights and secure the late win with a tipped pass and interception.

The Rangers look to capitalize on their momentum heading into their matchup against San Marcos at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Ranger Stadium.