Redwood Tackle Football Defeats Tulare Union 34-29 In Homecoming Thriller

On Friday, October 2nd, the Rangers defeated Tulare Union 34-29 in a down-to-the-wire homecoming game, improving to 6-0. Three players reflect on their victory and look ahead to Tulare Western.

Fabian Anguiano

The Rangers were down 29-27 with 34 seconds left; quarterback Nash McElree ’27, had just been sacked, setting them back to the twenty-yard line.

McElree would drop back, and he would throw the ball into the middle of the left side of the end zone; tight end EJ Jackson ‘30, would come down with it. This touchdown would clinch the Rangers’ victory.

Before the play was called, the coaches made sure to let Jackson know that it was all up to him. Jackson knew he had to make the catch no matter what.

To make the game-winning catch in the homecoming game felt good for Jackson, since the seniors currently on the team had a heartbreaking loss against the tribe 49-42 last year in a game that had over a thousand total yards of offense. Overall, it felt good to make the seniors happy.

What Jackson believes he could have done better in this game was blocking, as he didn’t block where he was supposed to at times.

Quarterback Nash McElree put on an impressive performance showcasing his scramble ability and arm strength, completing fourteen out of his eighteen passes, with 305 total passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and one interception. 

To put on a performance like that felt, “Great, we needed a game like that as a team. The offensive line was doing well all night, then we had receivers making plays, which was helping also,” said McElree.

Wide Receiver Jarius Brooks ’28, put on an outstanding stat line in the first half, with his first two receptions being both touchdowns on downfield plays, showcasing his elite speed and route running. Brooks would end the game with a total of nine receptions and 203 receiving yards, averaging 22.6 yards per reception.

What McElree believes he did best overall during the game was putting the ball in places for the receivers to make good plays.

With a very tough opponent in Tulare Western next, McElree has been preparing by, “I was just in the trainers, just my back, minor issues. We’re going to be practicing super hard. 
Some of us are banged up, so we need to fix that,” said McElree.

The offense has been preparing by watching a lot of film with Coach Jackson, and the team has been preparing by simply listening to what the coaches are saying and doing what they are asking for.

Defensive tackle Ziggie Utumapu ‘28, showcased his power and strength by recording a sack, a crucial forced fumble at the end of the first half, and stuffing the run on numerous occasions.

Utumapu is overall happy that the team, “Came out with the win. I think I did pretty well in my job. There’s stuff I could have done better, but I’m just happy we came out with one,” said Utumapu.

What Utumapu believes he did best overall in this game was being able to split through double teams; he was overall happy to get in the backfield as much as he did.

Overall, for the defense, they have to get some of their stuff together, but other than that, they were able to adjust and walk away with the victory.

For the game against Tulare Western up next, Utumapu believes the defense needs to, “Get to the QB. I think our whole team knows that, and I think our D line, especially, knows we just gotta get back there and create pressure.  They have such a good receiver duo, and a great quarterback. We just got to make sure he can’t throw the ball out if he wants to.”

The Rangers next opponent will possibly be their hardest yet on Friday, October 9th, against the undefeated Tulare Western Mustangs, with kickoff being at 7:30 pm.

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