Posted: 9/7/05
Rangers stumble in season opener
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Sporting new uniforms, a new coach and a new attitude Friday nightís game at Park (Cottage Grove) was suppose to be the start of something good for the Forest Lake High School football team, but the Rangers came away with a 14-7 loss.
ìI wish that the fans could have seen the team Iíve been working with for three weeks,î Rangers head coach Matt Cleary said. ìThe team that showed up Friday is not the team thatís been practicing with us for three weeks and working their tails off.î
Things looked OK early for the Rangers as they were able to move the ball 37 yards to score on a two yard run by junior running back Trip Schultz to take a first quarter 6-0 lead. Muhamad Halavacís extra point attempt was good and the Rangers had a 7-0 lead.
The Rangers were squashing the Park (Cottage Grove) running game, so the Wolfpack went to an air attack. The Wolfpack moved the ball 75yards, culminating in a one yard run touchdown by quarterback Tyler Manning. The extra point was good and with 1:36 to play in the first half the score was tied.
The Wolfpack surprised the Rangers with an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. The Wolfpack recovered the ball at mid field, but were unable to move the ball as they were forced to punt on fourth down.
Needing to make up some yardage in an attempt to score a late-half touchdown the Rangers went to their passing game, but on the last play of the half Rangers senior quarterback Dustin Kendrick threw an interception. Fortunately for the Rangers the Wolfpack player was brought down before he posed any serious threat to the end zone.
On the opening drive of the second half the Wolfpack were at mid field facing a fourth and four, but a Rangers offsides gave them a first down that eventually resulted in a four yard touchdown run by Wolfpack running back Ken Thompson. The extra point attempt was good and the Wolfpack had a 14-7 lead.
The Rangers did threaten in the fourth quarter when they decided to go for it on a fourth and 10 from the Wolfpack 29 yard line. The Rangers were only able to move the ball four yards, resulting in a turnover on downs with 6:19 to play in regulation.
The Rangers defense held the Wolfpack to a three and out to get the ball back toward the middle of the field.
Two false starts didnít affect the Rangers as they were able to get a first down and move the ball to the Wolfpack 44 yard line. The Rangers were unable to convert on a fourth and eight with 1:07 remaining in the game.
The Wolfpack took over and effectively ran out the clock, defeating the Rangers 14-7.
ìWeíre all to blame for the loss, players and coaches,î Cleary Said. ìWe need to get better and chalk it (the loss) up as a first game. We need to loosen up and have some fun.î
Home opener
Friday night the Rangers have their home opener when they host White Bear Lake at 7 p.m.
In an effort to get the community excited about Rangers football, the football booster club will be trying some new things to make the games more enjoyable.
Friday night the gates will open at 5 p.m. for pregame festivities that include a performance by Shaky Jake, a two piece blues and jazz band featuring FLHS senior Jake Neumann.
Minnesota Vikings mascot Ragnar will be on hand with his custom Vikings motorcycle as well. The concessions stand will include the Grilling Tower where Hietalaís Old World Meats will be grilling up burgers and hotdogs.
Once the game actually starts, the Rangers will have their hands full with a strong White Bear Lake team that beat Woodbury 35-0 this past week.
ìThey (White Bear Lake) are the two time conference champions so itíll be fun,î Cleary said. ìIím excited to go against a good team and say thatís where the bar is and we can compete with them.î
Despite the loss to Park (Cottage Grove) White Bear Lake head coach Bob Jackson is expecting a tough game out of the Rangers.
ìI think theyíre a really good team even though they got beat in their opener,î Jackson said. ìTheyíve got a massive offensive and defensive line and they got the good running back in Trip (Schultz). I think theyíre real solid.î
Of course the other story line to Friday nightís game is that Cleary is a White Bear Lake graduate and will be coaching against his Alma Mater for the first time.
ìItíll be interesting only in the fact that everybody keeps asking me what it will be like to play my Alma Mater,î Cleary said.
White Bear Lake isnít playing into the hype over it either.
ìWeíre playing Forest Lake,î Jackson said. ìNot their coach.î
Injury report
A sophomore running back was injured in last Thursday nightís sophomore game at Forest Lake High School.
The family wishes to keep the name of the player anonymous. The athlete was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with a back injury. Tests showed swelling around the spinal cord, but no signs of damage to the spinal cord and a full recovery is expected.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605