The State Champion team will once again take on Friday night lights this season.
After having a remarkable season, the Rangers ended district play in second place with a record of 6-1. The team only lost two games throughout the entire season one being to Brennan with a final score of 24-13, and the other being to Pieper, falling short 39-36.
The team ended its season with a Cinderella story against Highland Park marking its first State title, winning 32-20. The Rangers started off slow with Highland Park scoring within the first two minutes of the game.
They were also predicted to lose but overcame adversity early on, with now-senior Trenton Amaya securing two field goals to bring the score to 7-6
“It felt amazing to be able to contribute early in such a big game. When I hit that first field goal, it helped settle my nerves and reminded me to trust the work I’d put in all season,” Amaya said. “The 35-yarder felt even more important. We knew we could hang with them, and that confidence spread through the whole sideline.”
Amaya ended up tying the UIL all-time record by kicking four field goals in the state-title game.
“At the moment, I was just focused on doing my job, but when I found out, it was very special to me,” Amaya said.
Another huge moment that boosted the Rangers’ confidence was graduate Julian Colunga’s pick-six with 41 seconds left in the first quarter, putting the score 12-14.
When reflecting on what sets the team apart from its opponents, senior Justin Roberts described it as, “Our discipline and our attention to detail.”
The pix-six by Colunga was quickly followed by Amaya’s field goal, closing the gap to 13-14—just one point behind.
“I’m just proud I could help my team compete at the highest level and be part of something we’ll all remember,” Amaya stated.
This year the team is looking to head back to the state game for a third year in a row and become back to back state champs.
The team opens its season today with a 7:00 p.m. home game against Roosevelt at Ranger Stadium.
“This year will be different from last year because before this year, we always believed in something that had never been achieved,” Amaya stated. “Now, we know we are more than capable of getting it done again, and have the right team to do it.”
