In a back-and-forth contest between two undefeated teams, Spiro got some big plays from Chad Greenwood to overcome a strong effort by the home team.
The Rangers had used three touchdown runs by Ben Fowlkes to make up a 26-12 deficit and storm into a 33-26 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Greenwood, a senior strong safety, kicked a 30-yard field goal to put Spiro in front and intercepted two passes in the final two minutes to seal the win for the Bulldogs. He returned the first one 50 yards for a touchdown and picked off the other at the Spiro 10-yard line to end the game.
Roland head coach Jeff Streun said it was a hard loss.
"We built a lot of confidence and got that momentum swing, so it was a tough way to lose. It always leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you lose, but this was a tough one," said Streun.
Even though the Rangers fell to 2-1 with the non-district loss, Streun was encouraged by the fighting spirit his team showed.
"We did some good things and showed we had some fight in us to come back the way we did. I was real pleased with the fact the kids showed some determination and that they can overcome some adversity," said Streun.
Spiro scored first on Friday when Chris Kimmel passed 34 yards to Sean Donohue on a fourth-down play midway through the first quarter.
The Rangers responded with a five-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Chase Quickel moved the chains with an 18-yard completion to Brian Smith and a 43-yard strike to Matt Acosta. He then passed to Michael File for a 15-yard touchdown, tying the score at 6-6 with 4:47 to go in the opening period.
Kimmel threw his second touchdown pass of the night to give the Bulldogs a 12-6 lead heading into the second quarter, but the Rangers once again answered with an 80-yard scoring drive.
Fowlkes had a 16-yard run and Quickel scrambled for a 15-yard gain to keep the drive going. Roland pulled even on Quickel's 16-yard touchdown pass to Smith with 10:09 left in the half.
Spiro led 18-12 at halftime and went up 26-12 early in the third quarter on a 63-yard halfback pass from Junior Sublet to Greenwood.
Roland got back in the game with a powerful ground game, going 65 yards on 12 running plays to pull within 26-19. Fowlkes scored on a nine-yard run and David Ellis kicked the extra point.
In the fourth quarter, the Rangers put together another long drive and marched 72 yards in 10 plays to knot the score. Quickel had a 39-yard run and a key 13-yard pass to Matt Acosta on fourth down. Fowlkes got the touchdown with a six-yard run and Ellis kicked the point-after to make it 26-26 with 9:36 left in the game.
Moments later, Roland defensive back Colton Daniel picked off a pass and returned it 55 yards to the Spiro 14-yard line. Fowlkes scored on a 12-yard run and Ellis converted the point-after to put the Rangers up 33-26 with 7:16 to go.
Fowlkes finished the game with 98 yards rushing on 22 carries for Roland. Quickel picked up 70 yards on seven carries and Spencer Owens ran four times for 19 yards.
Through the air, Quickel was 10-of-25 for 158 yards. Smith caught three passes for 46 yards and Acosta caught three for 59. Tristian Atkerson (20 yards), Drew Roberts (16), File (15) and Fowelks (two) had one reception each for the Rangers.
"Chase did a heck of a job, especially early, of throwing the ball. Our receivers made some great catches and our offensive line did a good job blocking," said Streun. "Defensively, we played great against the run, but struggled against the pass."
Kimmel was 13-of-22 passing for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Sublet was the top Spiro rusher with 42 yards on 13 carries for the Bulldogs (3-0).
