A lot of media outlets were calling it “the game of the week” and the reasons were pretty well defined. First, Smithson Valley was ranked Number 1 by the San Antonio Express and coming into the game were (6-0, 1-0 in District) and the Rockets were (5-1, 1-0 in District). Second, with a Rocket victory, that would put Judson in the Number 1 slot for the most consecutive winning seasons at 37 in Texas High School football history. And lastly, it is the Rockets and the Rangers…two of the best programs in the state of Texas!!!
I couldn’t have asked the “football gods for anything better on a Friday night.” Well, I take that back, it would have been perfect had there had not been any rain!!!
So, this was my first trip to Ranger stadium in several years. Man, the whole campus reminds me a of a University. In all of my previous trips to Ranger stadium, we have had the pleasure (or not pleasure) of broadcasting the game outside cause there was no room for us in the press-box! I knew that they have updated the press-box and I was looking forward to a nice change of scenery inside! OK, the press-box was very nice and roomy…omg, they had bathrooms!! Holy crap, they also had food and drinks for everybody; I noshed down 3 beef tacos!!!
My only complaint would have to be the fact that there were a BUNCH of people in the press-box; felt like a family atmosphere as there were lots of children running around (hey, maybe there was a playroom at the other end of the press-box). Maybe that is a compliment to show how together the Smithson Valley community is?
Now, I am ready to talk HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL!!!
I worked a Smithson Valley game in Week 2 as they crushed the Madison Mavericks who at that time were the Number 1 ranked team by a score of 47 to 20. The Rangers ran 68 plays for 574 yards and 4 players had over 100 yards. Quarterback, Garrett Smith, had 346 of those yards (221 in the air and 125 rushing). The defense held the explosive Madison offense to 186 yards. WOW!!!
I have worked every Judson game so far this season and there offense (besides Week 0) is explosive. Just look the total plays and yards for each game…
Week 0 - 36 plays for 199 yards
Week 1 - 92 plays for 591 yards
Week 2 - 56 plays for 415 yards
Week 3 - 58 plays for 505 yards
Week 4 – 64 plays for 420 yards
Week 6 - 76 plays for 456 yards
Rayjohn Austin-Ramsey, the Judson quarterback and the receiving core of Andre Wilson, Michael Akai, and Cedric Williams have all been extremely impressive. The running game which in the past has been top notch still seems like a work in progress as Jo’Von Kyle, Brandon Sanders, Ramsey, Andre Wilson, Malik Pryor, and just added last week Malik Taylor share the carries at running back.
The Judson defense has been (and is always) very solid. They are led by Malik Pryor and Kevion Ramsey.
So, what is the weakness of Judson? Gosh, it has to be turnovers and penalties!!!
I knew that in order to beat Smithson Valley, the Rockets would have to play a perfect game cause the Rangers will make em pay if they do. I was expecting a really close game and a Judson victory if they won the turnover and penalty battle!!!
I am going to tease you with some stats before I tell you who won…one team had 52 plays for 52 yards and the other team had 95 plays for 424 yards. No turnovers and just 6 total penalties combined. Final score was 45 to 28. Who won? Yeah, I know..tough question.
Well, folks, spoiler alert now…the Smithson Valley Rangers defeated the Judson Rockets. Now, you still have to wait (but not long as it is coming up in the next paragraph) to see which team had 52 plays and which had 95!!!
The Smithson Valley Rangers ran 52 plays for 240 yards. Only quarterback, Garrett Smith, had over 100 yards as he was 12 of 18 passing for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the ground, Smith had 14 carries for 57 yards and 1 touchdown. Smith is a very smart quarterback and always seems to make the right decisions (he has no interceptions this season). I, for one, am officially on the Smith bandwagon. Smith has committed to play college football at the University of Louisiana at Monroe; they got a good one!!!
Cameron Jones, a Smithson Valley running back, had 13 carries for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joseph Barsalou, a wide receiver, had 6 receptions for 71 yards and a 92 yard kick-off return for a touchdown to start the 3rd quarter. Another wide receiver, Tyler Coiner, had 3 receptions or 95 yards and 2 touchdowns.
I have said this before and I will say it again, “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers made it to Arlington on December 21st.” They are a really good football team who plays smart football and they always do everything to perfection.
Statistically, Judson dominated the Rangers. The Judson Rockets ran 95 plays for 424 yards. They had 10 more first downs and 7 more minutes of time of possession than the Rangers. No turnovers for Judson and only 4 penalties for 15 yards. What happened?
Rayjohn Austin-Ramsey, the Judson quarterback, was 20 of 47 passing for 214 yards and 1 touchdown. This was by far his worst game this season. Hey, everybody has a bad day at work. Along with a bad game, I also have to factor in a wet ball, several dropped passes by the receivers, and the atmosphere of playing at Smithson Valley. You gotta be perfect in every aspect if you want to beat the Rangers and 27 incomplete passes won’t do it. Look at the Smithson Valley quarterback passing numbers again (12 of 18 for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns). My advice to Rayjohn…”forget about it.”
Michael Akai, a Judson wide receiver, had 5 receptions for 62 yards. Another wide receiver, Cedric Williams had 6 receptions for 59 yards. Andre Wilson, the leading receiver for Judson, had 2 receptions for 27 yards. Cameron Johnson, who got injured in Week 0 at Lake Travis, returned to action had 3 receptions for 31 yards. The lone passing touchdown was for 10 yards to running back Malik Taylor.
Brandon Sanders, one of the 6 Judson running backs, led em all with 13 carries for 102 yards and 3 touchdowns. Andre Wilson had 3 carries for 32 yards. Malik Pryor had 7 carries for 28 yards. Ramsey had 16 carries for 18 yards (I am still waiting for Ramsey to have a HUGE rushing game).
Next Thursday, I will be at Harlandale Memorial stadium as the Harlandale Indians host the Southside Cardinals. I am really excited that I finally get to see Harlandale quarterback, Brandon Ramon. Ramon is the real deal!!!
And on Friday night, I will be at D W Rutledge stadium as the Judson Rockets host the San Marcos Rattlers. I know that Judson will bounce back with a victory and with that, the Rockets will grab the TOP SPOT FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS AT 37 YEARS IN TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. WOW!!!