Ricebirds run over Rangers in Rosenberg
Ricebird offense controls the clock as defense makes great plays in big win
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Chris Barbee Reelin' It In When a big play was needed last night in El Campo's 20-7 win over District 24-4A rival Terry Rangers at Traylor Stadium, the Ricebirds often got it. El Campo's Jac Axel waits on, then catches this pass, moving the ball to the Terry 19 to complete a 27yard play. It helped to set up El Campo's first touchdown and kept a 6 minute, 56-second drive alive.

Defense and ball control helped El Campo take over Traylor Stadium Friday night in a 20-7 win over the Terry Rangers.

The Ricebirds had a 13-7 lead at halftime, thanks in part to their offense consuming the game clock and only allowing Terry 16 plays in the first half.

El Campo drove deep to start the third quarter, but penalties forced the Ricebirds back and a missed 41-yard field goal gave the Rangers the ball on their own 26-yard line.

The Rangers threatened to take the lead over El Campo on their next drive, but the mighty Ricebird defense stayed strong.

The Rangers pushed the ball up to the El Campo 12-yard line and on fourth down with three yards to go, opted to run over kicking a field goal.

Terry gave the ball to speedy running back Anthony Brown, who had already broken free for a 35-yard touchdown run, and let him work. Before Brown could find an open hole, he found three Ricebirds.

Josh Garcia, Christopher Raun and Bryce Skow upended the Ranger running back for a 4-yard loss to give the Ricebirds the ball on their own 16 to prevent a score.

Though El Campo eventually turned the ball over on the following series, Terry fell victim of the momentum the 'Birds gained on that play.

El Campo's defense came through again three plays later and this time, it led to a score.

On second down and 13, the Rangers fumbled a lateral in the backfield and the Ricebirds fell on the ball. It appeared to be Blake Korenek who made the incredible play, but as of presstime, that was yet to be confirmed.

The Ricebirds only needed four plays to extend their lead.

Quarterback Tyler Woods and fullback Anthony Terrell shared carries in the following drive and Woods got the chance to end it. He took a quarterback keeper around the left side for an 8-yard run and kicked his own extra point to put the score at 20-7.

The defense came up with another great stop and the Ricebirds ran the ball out, taking a knee to end the game with victory.

At the end of the night, El Campo was tied with the Seven Lakes Spartans at 1-0 for a share of the top spot in District 24-4A.

The game started off with a dominant showing by the Ricebirds.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the 'Birds picked away at the Terry defense and drove 80 yards for an early score.

El Campo started off with some great sweeps by tailback Maverick Smith. The Ranger defense seemed set up to prevent the straight-away run and El Campo opted for the corners.

Quarterback Tyler Woods was strong in the pocket as well and connected on several passes in the first half. His longest play came in the opening drive.

Facing third down and 11 on Terry's 46-yard line, Woods rolled right and caught a streaking Jac Axel open for a pass. The speedy wide receiver hauled in a quick throw and moved the ball 27 yards to the Ranger 19-yard line.

Four plays later, Woods ran in for the game's first score from four yards out. Woods kicked the extra point and El Campo took a 7-0 lead to start.

Not only was the offense particularly potent to start, but the defense was swarming.

Terry tried to move the ball with their quick running back Anthony Brown on the first play after a penalty, but Landon Appling, Bobby Jack Polasek and Christopher Raun came in on a group tackle and only allowed six yards.

Gerrod Farrow tipped a pass on the next play forcing third down. Terry could not complete a pass again and El Campo held the Rangers to four plays - the last being a punt. It was the Rangers' only possession of the first quarter.

The Ricebirds drove deep into Ranger territory again, but this time the drive ended in a missed field goal.

Terry was only allowed four plays again and punted quickly to give El Campo the ball back.

The 'Birds made another deep drive, but penalties added up and forced the offense to attempt some deep passes. Needing 20 yards for a first down, Woods had a ball tipped and picked off to give Terry a shot at moving the ball.

Again, Terry's drive lasted only four plays, but this one had a different ending. Brown closed out the possession with a 35-yard touchdown run to tie the game up at 7-7.

El Campo answered with another nice drive as time ticked away in the first half.

Carries by fullback Anthony Terrell and Smith ended with a 9-yard touchdown by Terrell to break the tie. The extra point missed, but El Campo took the lead 13-7 with 37 seconds left in the first half.

Terry tried to answer in the few seconds that remained, but El Campo held the Rangers to four plays as time expired and both teams entered the locker rooms.

Once the teams entered the field, the Ricebirds came through in the clutch to finish off a nice win to open District 24-4A competition. El Campo hosts Bay City this Friday.