The Wranglers kicked off to the Jackrabbits. On the second play from scrimmage the Wranglers intercepted Landon Hartwick. The Wranglers wasted on time in scoring their first touchdown, a 7 yard pass from Kendall Thomas to Chazz Virgil for the score. Chris Walls kick was good and the Wranglers took a 7 – 0 lead early in the 1st quarter. The Wranglers onside kick attempt was successful but the Jackrabbit Defense held the Wranglers 3 and out and the Wranglers quick kicked on 4th down. The ball rolled out of the end zone and the Jackrabbits started again from their own 20 yard line. The Jackrabbit offense started to move the ball and picked up a 1st down on Peter Smith's 11 yard run to the 31. The Wranglers Defense tightened and sacked Hartwick on 3 and 11 and the Jackrabbits had to punt the ball back to the Wranglers. The Jackrabbits Defense held the Wranglers and the Wranglers punted to the Jackrabbits. The punt took an unusual bounce and hit a Jackrabbit blocker and the Wranglers recovered at the Jackrabbit 25 yard line. The Wranglers completed a pass to the 2 yard line. William Thomas ran the ball in for the touchdown from the 2 giving the Wranglers a 13 to 0 lead with: 58 seconds left in the 1st quarter. On the PAT attempt Justin Price leaped over the line and blocked the kick. Through the 2nd quarter neither team could mount a threat and the half ended with West Mesquite holding on to a 13 to 0 lead.
West Mesquite scored again early in the 2nd half at 10:06 when Kendall Thomas threw a perfect pass to Chazz Virgil who had position on the Jackrabbit defender for a 32 yard touchdown. The try for two points was unsuccessful. The Wranglers held the Jackrabbits on their next series. The Jackrabbits punted to the Wranglers and they went 3 and out and after the punt the Jackrabbits were in business at the Wranglers 49. The Wranglers stopped the Jackrabbits again intercepting Hartwick. The Wranglers fumbled and the Jackrabbits recovered. Peter Smith picked up a 1st down to the 22 yard line. On the next play the Jackrabbits fumbled and West Mesquite recovered. The Wranglers moved the ball down to the Jackrabbit 11 yard line but the Jackrabbit Defense rose to the occasion and pushed the Wranglers back and the Wranglers attempted a 39 yard field goal that was short and wide to the left. After the failed field goal the Jackrabbits were unable to move the ball and had to punt. West Mesquite fumbled and Andre DeRosier recovered. DeRosier ran the ball down to the 8 yard line. On the next play the Jackrabbits were penalized back to the 13. On the next play DeRosier ran the ball to the 5 where the Wranglers were flagged for a face mask violation and were penalized half way to the goal line giving the Jackrabbits a 1st down at the 2 ½ yard line. DeRosier ran up the middle for the score and after Thomas Moreland’s point after the score was 19 to 7. Moreland’s kickoff went out of the back of the end zone for a touchback and the Wranglers started from the 20. The Wranglers were unable to move the ball against the fired up Jackrabbit Defense and on 4th and 1 the Wranglers were forced to punt back to the Jackrabbits.
The Jackrabbit Offense started to move the ball down field. On 1st down from the 41 yard line Hartwick was flushed out of the pocket and rolled to his right and lofted a pass deep downfield and Brandon Medlock who made a diving catch at the 24 yard line of West Mesquite. The Jackrabbits tried a run and gained 1 yard. On 2nd and 9 from the 23 Hartwick found Austin Williams in the end zone. Austin Williams and the West Mesquite defender both jumped up for the ball and Austin came down with it for the score. Thomas Moreland’s kick was good and the score was 19 to 14 with 11:51 remaining in the game. The Jackrabbit defense again rose to the occasion and stopped the Wranglers dead in their tracks with 9:06 left to play. The Jackrabbits were unable to move the ball and had to kick back to the Wranglers. The Jackrabbit Defense stopped the Wranglers again. The Wranglers punted back to the Jackrabbits and roughed Josh Hughes on his “Fair Catch” attempt and were penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul giving the Jackrabbits excellent field position. On the first play Landon Hartwick was flushed out of the pocket and was running to his right when he spotted Austin Williams running free over the middle at the 15 yard line but was unable to connect. The Jackrabbits went 4 and out and the Wranglers took over and attempted to run out the clock but the Jackrabbit Defense forced the Wranglers to punt back to the Jackrabbits. As time expired on 4th and 16 the Wranglers sacked Hartwick and then ran out the clock.
The Jackrabbit Defense shut down the Wranglers highly touted running attack allowing just 59 yards on 23 attempts. Their top rusher, Larry Williams, left the game after just 2 rushing attempts with a leg injury and did not return to the game. The Wranglers did manage to accumulate yardage passing but most of the passes and yardage were between the twenties. The Jackrabbits managed only 89 yards through the air. Brandon Medlock caught 2 for 40 yards, Austin Williams 1 for 24 yards and a touchdown and Travis Floyd caught 1 for 25 yards. Peter Smith rushed for 41 yards and Andre’ DeRosier ran for 22 yards.
Was It A Bird Or A Plane?
No!
It was Justin Price flying over the pile of players at the line of scrimmage and blocking the Wranglers PAT attempt. Justin was everywhere blocking kicks, knocking down passes and making tackles. In previous games he was making interceptions, picking up fumbles and running for a touchdown. Justin gets our Superman award for this week.
