Rudder Faces Challenge in Leander Matchup
JORDAN MESEROLE
A little confidence can go a long way.
The Rudder Rangers will have a tough test on Friday atMerrill Green Stadium, as they welcome the Leander Rouse Raiders to Bryan.
Looking at last year’s matchup wouldn’t indicate somethingfor the Rangers to be worried about – they trounced the Raiders by a fivetouchdown victory.
However, that was Leander’s first official varsity season, aseason in which they went winless and were defeated by more than 21 points fivedifferent times.
Last Friday night, Leander racked up its first officialvictory, shutting out Liberty Hill 21-0. And if Rudder’s memory isn’t too faded already, they might recall theconfidence and momentum that carried them forward after their first official victoryonly two seasons ago. In a 2009 gameagainst Hearne, the Rangers came out more visibly energized than many had seenthem before after getting their first win the week prior, and easily cruised toa 49-14 victory to notch their second win.
Regardless of how energized Leander Rouse may be coming intothe 2011 Friday night matchup with Rudder, the Raiders will still have tosquare off against a Rudder defense that racked up a total of 41 tacklesbetween four players in last week’s game against Taylor,and effectively shut down Taylor’soffensive drives in the fourth quarter. Ruddersenior Kody Burton led the way with 16 tackles, and fellow senior A’ShanianSmith added another 12 on the night.
Rudder will have a challenge of shutting down Leander Rousesenior quarterback Michael Botello, who connected on two huge passing scoringplays of 75 and 55 yards last week.
Equally, the Raiders will have their hands full trying tostifle a Ranger offense that led them on a second-half come-from-behind victorylast week, and featured a balanced pass and run attack. Ranger senior quarterback Jamarcus Davenportrushed for 86 yards, and also added an 88-yard touchdown pass to tie the gameup. Rudder junior Tre Guyton also stoodout with 123 yards and two touchdowns.
After starting the season out with a victory, both teamswill obviously hit the field under the lights at Merrill Green stadium with anextra boost of confidence.
The question will be whose confidence will carry themfurther, and keep them in the win column.