Rangers reduce Panthers to feeble felines

The Hill City Rangers football team is advancing to the Class 9AA State Quarterfinals after a decisive 53-0 win at home against the Great Plains Lutheran Panthers Oct. 23.

The Thursday evening game began with the Rangers kicking off. Mason Wiese set the tone of the game with a quick tackle, setting the Panthers back two yards from the line of scrimmage. A long Panthers run threatened the Rangers but was stopped by Drake Wilkison. The Panthers did make it into the end zone, but a holding call brought  the play back, setting up third and 10. 

The Rangers defense set  up a fourth and four. The Panthers took a time out, went for it, but the Rangers defense held steady. Hill City took over on its own 10-yard line. 

When asked about that crucial time, Hill City Rangers head football coach Brett Eckert said, “We told our defense to buckle down, keep them out of the end zone and do their job. We allowed them to move the ball on their first possession with some very simple mistakes but allowed them to get some wind in their sails. So for our defense to turn around and stop a good physical runner like 23 from getting into the end zone was really big for our defense.” 

Eckert explained the team ideology, saying, “We believe in a philosophy of bend but don’t break.  Teams are going to move the ball in nine man football, that is the name of the game, but you have to be able to really lock in and tighten down once they get closer to scoring.”

While the Rangers offense could not convert on its first possession, they were the first to score, with junior Breylon Rahn making it into the end zone late in the first quarter. A bad snap during the extra point kept the Rangers lead to 6-0. 

The Rangers defense kept the Panthers next drive short and a knuckleball punt gave Hill City great field position. The Rangers were  driving as the second quarter began, getting to the 24- yard line. Logan Street came in to kick a field goal, extending the Rangers lead to 9-0.

Within minutes, the Rangers took over  on downs, and Wiese ran up the sideline, extending the Hill City lead to 16-0 with 8:11 left in the first half. Weise had 13.8 yards per carry in the game. 

The Panthers got the ball and a horse collar penalty moved them into Rangers territory. Lucas Johnson got the team a first down with a carry up the middle, and the Panthers continued to pitch and run the ball, getting all the way to the 23-yard line. They initiated a reverse to Caleb Kannas, who tried to pass, but the Rangers defense read the play and Hill City took over on downs. 

The Rangers took the ball to the 10-yard line. The Panthers defense forced the Rangers into a fourth down situation but were drawn offsides, giving the Rangers first down. 

This time it was Caleb Sobolik who scored for the Rangers, extending the lead to 23-0.

Hill City’s kickoff was  returned all the way to the 35-yard line of Hill City in a run. But on the very next play, the Panthers threw right into the hand of Hill City’s Nick Schroeder, with a mere 17 seconds left in the first half of play. 

A false start penalty dropped the Rangers to the 35. Wiese carried the ball up to the Panthers’ 46, with 7.6 seconds left in the first half of play. Veneklasen threw to Zane Messick, who brought the ball to the 35-yard line of the Panthers and got out of bounds, stopping the clock with one second left in the half. 

Street came onto the field for a 52-yard field goal attempt. The kick was long, and the refs nodded, agreeing it was good, as the Hill City Rangers went into  halftime with a 26-0 lead against the Panthers. 

“That boy can kick. When we got the ball back with only 17 seconds left, we knew we wanted to try and at least give him a shot for a field goal,” Eckert said. “So we ran two quick- hitter plays and got 15 yards or so on each and were able to get within his range. He had already hit a 47-yarder earlier this season, so we knew as long as it was within 60 yards, we would attempt a field goal as time expired. It is really beneficial to have the ability to gain points that way.”

Veneklasen scored the next six for Hill City, and Messick extended the lead to 40-0. Sobolick scored the next 13 points with a run up the middle and pitch in the fourth quarter that brought a mercy call to end the game 53-0 in Hill City’s favor.

The Rangers defense allowed a mere 20 passing yards and only 140 yards on the ground. 

The victory sends Hill City to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row, the first time this has ever happened in Rangers history. 

Eckert notes it is a team effort. 

“We have so many guys who can do something with the ball in their hands. We stress the importance of taking what the defense gives us. So last night was another example of taking what the defense was giving us,” he said.

Eckert explained how important each boy’s job is, saying, “Brey (Rahn) was able to get open on a few coverage beaters as they were playing cover three all night against us. So we were able to exploit the seam a couple of times. I think a major point that gets overlooked is how unselfish our guys are. We never hear from the boys how they aren’t getting their number called. They have really bought into the idea that we will take what the defense gives us and when their number is called they make the most of it. That is what is really cool about this team.”

The Rangers (8-1) continue their march to the  state championship with a home field meet against Hamlin (8-1).

Hamlin also shut out their first round opponent to advance. 

Eckert said to win, Hill City needs to “play a clean game, play with energy and do our job. Hamlin is a very good football team that has a lot of pedigree. They have an all-state returning quarterback and probably one of the best receivers in all of nine-man football. Their line is pretty good size, but they play physically. We are going to have to take what they give us, take care of the ball on offense, and try and slow down their highly potent offense.”

He added, “It should hopefully be a really exciting game to watch.” 

Rangers football fans can cheer on their team at 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Ranger Field.