Roland senior Jeremy Morris rushed for 287 yards last week against Okmulgee and will try for more on Friday night when the Rangers face Okmulgee in a crucial District 3A-4 contest. (Mike Erwin•TIMES)
They’ll get the chance to earn that win—and their first home field playoff game since 2000—on Friday night when Bristow comes to Ranger Stadium for a crucial league match-up.
Roland has rebounded from a 1-3 start to the season and is now 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the district. The Rangers are ranked 16th in Class 3A, one spot behind Bristow. The Purple Pirates are 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the league.
“It’s going to be two teams who are pretty much alike. They’re a senior-dominated club like us and they have a lot on the line. We have a lot on the line too. If we win, we get second place and we want that first-round home game,” said Roland head coach Jeff Streun.
Like Roland, Bristow has been playing well in recent weeks. The Pirates of first-year head coach Mike Legg have won two of their last three with the setback coming in a 49-42 loss to undefeated Metro Christian in Week 8. They now need a win over Roland to secure their first playoff berth since 2005.
“They’re just like us. they’ve been through a lot of the same things. They got some kids hurt and fell off a little, but they’ve played really well lately,” said Streun. “They played Metro Christian as well as anyone two weeks ago and are coming off a good win over Hugo.”
Some of the key players for Bristow include senior quarterback Brett Vess, senior tailback Tommy Gatewood, senior wide receiver Andre Barnett and sophomore tight end Jorge Chacon.
“They have a lot of weapons. Their senior quarterback is really good. Their tailback is back in action and has a lot of speed. And they have a super fast receiver who’s their go-to guy along with the tight end,” said Streun.
Roland is riding a three-game winning streak into Friday’s game and the Rangers have been picking up victories with tough defense and a powerful ground game.
Leading rusher Teven Thompson had more than 1,000 yards after eight games, but was ineligible last week and will not play against Bristow. That opened the door for Jeremy Morris to rush for 287 yards last week in the Rangers’ 30-8 win at Okmulgee. Morris, who was injured in the early part of the season, has now rushed for 665 yards this fall.
“We’re fortunate to have a kid like him and to have two quality tailbacks,” said Streun. “We felt like he was a difference-maker on offense and defense and he’ll be a difference-maker again this week.”
The coach also praised the Roland offensive line for their role in the Rangers’ turnaround.
“The camaraderie on the offensive line is coming along real well. They’re communicating well, coming off the ball, staying on their blocks and playing very physical,” said Streun.
In addition to Thompson, the Rangers will be without starter Dustin Finney on Friday. The inside linebacker dislocated his shoulder last week and Alan Cabrera will take his place in the starting line-up against Bristow.
