It was a rough District 2AI-3 home opener for the Roland Rangers last Friday night at Ranger Stadium as they lost 38-0 to the Kiefer Trojans.
Things started well for the Rangers (1-4 overall, 1-1 in district play) as Cason Perryman forced a fumble by Keifer player Lucas Boyles, with Perryman’s teammate, Uriah Phillips, making the recovery at the Roland 6-yard line with 10:04 left in the first quarter to thwart the Trojans (3-2, 2-0) on game’s first offensive possession.
However, the Rangers could not move the ball and were forced to punt, with the Trojans setting up shop at the Roland 22 with 9:05 remaining in the period.
Just 92 seconds later, Kiefer’s Cash Worley went 15 yards for the touchdown. K.J. Bowers scored on the two-point conversion to put the Trojans ahead 8-0 with 7:38 left in the period.
The Trojans went for it on fourth down deep in Roland territory and were stopped, giving the Rangers the ball at the Roland 27-yard line with 2:49 remaining in the quarter. Unfortunately, the possession not only did not yield anything, but it set up Kiefer’s next score.
Roland punter Paul Johnson’s kick was blocked, with the Trojans taking over at the Roland 13-yard line with 49 seconds left in the quarter.
The Trojans took advantage of the blocked punt as Worley scored his second touchdown of the period on a 13yard run with 42 seconds remaining in the period. Blake Stopp ran in the two-point conversion for a 16-0 lead for Kiefer going into the second quarter.
On Roland’s next possession, quarterback Alex Brant’s pass was intercepted by Kiefer defender Brody Baxter at the Roland 41 with 11:09 left before halftime.
The Trojans marched the 41 yards to paydirt as Daxton Smith scored on a 15-yard TD run. Dakota Morris scored the two-point conversion for a 24-0 lead for the Trojans with 10:20 remaining in the first half.
The next Roland drive ended up being a very emotional one as at the 10:04 mark of the second quarter, Novion Reagan was hit hard from the back, with his helmet popping off and falling face forward to the ground. He was treated by first responders for about 45 minutes until AirEvac arrived and transported Reagan to St. Francis Hospital, where a source close to The Eastern Times-Register said he was released later that night with only bruises and a concussion. Roland coach Greg Wise said that on Monday he was doing good and was going to stay at home a couple of days to rest up before coming back to school.
It was decided to make the long break start halftime, with Kiefer on top 24-0.
“It was a tough night,” Wise said. “It was an emotional night. Novion is well respected on our team and by our staff. It was an emotional thing to see your brother get hurt like that. You never want to see anything like that happen.”
In the second half, the Trojans scored a single touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarter, with Jamison Coulter hitting both extra points.
Wise was proud of his players for coming out in the second half and competing, even though they had heavy hearts with regards to their injured player. “That was the hardest part was coming back out,” he said. “That is their brother, and they go to war with him every day. It was just an emotional thing for the kids, adults and fans. It wasn’t easy to come back out, but they wanted to come back out for him, and I know that was what he wanted them to do. So, they did. They came back out and gave their best efforts under the circumstances. I’m proud they came out and persevered in the second half.”
The Rangers will return to action at 7 p.m. this Friday as they travel to meet the Heavener Wolves at Heavener’s Harvey Stadium.
••• To Get There — Take U.S. 64 east to Fort Smith, Ark., where it becomes Garrison Avenue. Continue east to Towson Avenue. Turn south on Towson Avenue to Zero Street. Turn right on Zero Street and proceed into Oklahoma to Oklahoma State Highway 112 south of Arkoma. Take Highway 112 south to Poteau. Continue on U.S. Bypass 59 around Poteau to U.S. 59. Continue south on U.S. 59 to Heavener.
At halftime of the Kiefer-Roland game last Friday night at Ranger Stadium, the Roland Athletic Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2025. From left, sister Carol Woods and Sharon Mason represented the late Wayne Watts, wife Kathy Williams accompanied by daughter and Roland Public Schools Superintendent Lori Wiggins and grandson and Roland coach Mason Wiggins, represent the late Jackie Lee Williams, Frank Cosner, Randy Wood and Vickie Earnhart, who all were joined by Roland High School Athletic Director Eddie Lewis. Inductees not pictured are Gail Faubus, Peggy Latta and Kathy Launius.
