While the Roland Rangers were outgunned 336 to 147 yards by the visiting Bethel Wildcats in Thursday night’s District 2AI-3 home game at Ranger Stadium, where it counted the most the Rangers won.
The Rangers rallied three times, with the third rally being the biggest of them all, as they upset the ’Cats 28-22.
The game-winning score for the Rangers (2-5 overall, 2-2 in district play) was Trevor Lasiter’s 2-yard touchdown run and twopoint conversion with 1:01 left in the game to put Roland ahead 26-22.
The Wildcats (5-2, 2-2) tried to mount a game-winning drive as they got the ball back at their own 45-yard line, but the Rangers denied them the end zone — and provided Roland with at least a two-win season for the first time since 2022.
The first quarter was scoreless, but the Rangers won a second battle on the night — the time of possession. Roland had the ball for 8:49 of the period, while Bethel only had possession for 3:11. In fact, Bethel’s second drive of the period was halted by Alex Brant’s first of two interceptions on the night.
After the Wildcats took an 8-0 lead with 8:48 left before halftime, the Rangers got on the board on Kayden Hartt’s 1-yard TD run with 60 seconds remaining in the first half to cut the Roland deficit to 8-6 at halftime.
The Rangers took their first lead of the night on Brant’s second interception of the night as he returned it 34 yards for a pick-6 to put Roland on top 12-8.
Josh Bower recorded Roland’s third of four picks to stop the ensuing drive for Bethel, but the ’Cats did score on their following possession to take a 14-12 lead into the final period.
The Rangers got the lead back on Paul Johnson’s 37-yard punt return for a TD to put Roland back in front 18-14 with 9:21 left to play.
The Wildcats looked to snatch the district win away from the jaws of defeat as they scored with 4:06 remaining in the game to regain the lead for Bethel at 22-18, setting up the dramatic finish for the Rangers.
Cason Perryman led the Rangers in rushing with 82 yards, while Lasiter had 30 yards rushing and a touchdown and Hartt had eight yards rushing with a TD.
The Rangers will return to action at 7 p.m. this Friday at Hugo. The Buffaloes (2-5, 1-3) lost 55-20 to Kiefer on Thursday night.
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To Get There — Take Interstate 40 west to Checotah. Take U.S. 69 south to the Indian Nation Turnpike. Take the Indian Nation Turnpike south to Hugo.
