STORY BY: JORDAN MESEROLE
– BRYAN – Rushing problems helped drop the Rudder Rangers in its first home game of the 2012 season, as they allowed more than 200 yards on the ground in a 36-7 loss.
And containing the rush once again will be the key to victory for the Rangers’ game Friday night at Merrill Green Stadium as they prepare to face off against the El Campo Ricebirds.
El Campo heads into Bryan coming off a 31-0 season opening victory against Waller, in which the Ricebirds racked up 339 rushing yards. Leading the way in that victory were senior running backs Montray Jackson and Jack Davis, both of whom tallied up more than 110 yards on the night, and undoubtedly targets for the Rudder defense in Friday’s upcoming game.
Rudder will look to improve upon its own solid rushing performance in the loss last week, in which senior running back Tre Guyton racked up 101 rushing yards while junior Robert Lee added another 50 yards and tacked on the Rangers’ only touchdown.
Rudder head coach C.M. Pier has indicated that senior quarterback Luke Piper will be given more passing opportunities after getting his feet wet under center for the first time in his high school career last week. Piper finished the game with only nine total passing attempts, but did complete seven of his passes for 39 yards.
Pier has also hoped to fix some of the small mistakes that cost the Rangers 80 total yards in penalties last week, including three in the first four plays of the game.
El Campo brings in its high-powered running game for a kickoff at 7:30 from Merrill Green Stadium.