Maurice Wright Jr. of the Rangers tips the ball while in the air. Northwestern's Aharon Barnes tackles the Southwestern Oklahoma State punter on 4th down.
Ranger Calion Baker drives through the bottom of the pile for the touchdown on offense.
The Northwestern Rangers were riding high Saturday afternoon as they defeated longtime rival Southwestern Oklahoma State 28-16 at Ranger Field. It was a great way for the Ranger seniors to end their season.
The scoring was close in the first half with NWOSU leading 7-6 at the end of the first period, and SWOSU pulling ahead 16-14 at the half. But the Rangers didn't allow the Bulldogs across the goal line in the second half while scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter.
Northwestern had the ball first but couldn't make the first down and had to punt. Southwestern lost yards and also had to punt. Ranger Aharon Barnes blocked the punt by Kane Bowen. Kentrez Bell recovered and went 33 yards for the touchdown. Conner O'Neal's kick was good, and NWOSU led 7-0.
With just over 3 minutes left in the first period, Southwestern's Kenny Graham scored on a four yard run. The kick failed, and the quarter ended with the Rangers on top 7-6.
SWOSU was third and six as the second quarter began. Following an incomplete pass, the Rangers forced a fumble on the fourth down but Bowen recovered. The ball went to Northwestern on their 38. After losing ten yards on the first play, Tanner Clarkson passed to Kentrez Bell but SWOSU was called for pass interference moving the Rangers to the Southwestern 13. Calion Baker rushed for six yards. Clarkson kept the ball for a four yard rush. And Baker completed the touchdown with a three yard run. O'Neal's kick was good, and the Rangers led 14-6.
About halfway through the second period, Alex Ramirez scored a TD for SWOSU on a 10 yard pass from Tyler Marr. Ryan Buchanan's kick was good, and the Rangers led by only one point at 14-13.
The Rangers attempted a field goal from the 48 when their drive stalled, but it went wide to the left. However, in the final seconds of the quarter, Buchanan was able to score on a 27 yard field goal for the Bulldogs. SWOSU led 16-14 at the half.
The Rangers scored about halfway into the third quarter on a Clarkson pass to Kenny Miller for 13 yards. The O'Neal kick was good and the Rangers pulled ahead 21-16. With two minutes left in the quarter, Northwestern scored again on a Clarkson 25 yard run to culminate a nine play, 93 yard drive. The extra point was good, and NWOSU was up 28-16.
In the fourth quarter, Southwestern was just six yards from the Ranger goal line when Dax Benway intercepted Marr's pass and preventing the Bulldogs from scoring. With just under four minutes left in the game, the Rangers took over and drove from their two yard line to Southwestern's 20 where they let the clock run out.
Clarkson completed 16 of 22 pass attempts for 103 yards for Northwestern. Clarkson also led the team in rushing with 84 yards on 11 carries followed by Miller with 49 and Baker with 31. Steven caught four passes for 46 yards. Miller caught three for 17 and Edwards had three for six yards.
The Rangers close out the season with a 4 and 7 record.
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