Redwood Tackle Football Downs Dinuba in Dominant 42-14 Victory

On Friday, August 21st, the Rangers had their season opener against Dinuba on their home turf, which resulted in a convincing 42-14 win. Head Coach Curtis Allen and three players look over their dominant victory.

By Fabian Anguiano and Ellie Hernandez

Tight end Exavier Jackson ‘30, had six receptions for fifty-six yards and two touchdowns in his high school debut.

Jackson feels like he did well in this game overall with his blocking, tackling, and his touchdowns.

What Jackson feels like he could have done better is block better for his receivers.

Jackson prepared himself for this game over the summer by working with the coaches and just working overall.

With the Rangers taking on a tough opponent in Kingsburg next week, Jackson is looking to prepare himself for that game mentally and physically with, “Ice baths, getting my body prepared. Mentally, just sticking with the team and sticking to the plan,” said Jackson.

For the rest of the season, Jackson believes the team should go 10-0, as he believes this is their year to win.

Edge Rusher Adrian Legarda ‘28, had his first varsity start against Dinuba; he recorded three total tackles and a sack.

To be on a performance like that in his first start felt, “Great, coming out working hard every day, that’s just what Bell put us through, and I’m glad we got the chance to show what we got now.”

 Legarda showcased great footwork against Dinuba. To Legarda, it is a, “Consistent thing; I always gotta be consistent with it. I’m always working, getting faster, getting stronger, and getting better with my footwork,” said Legarda.

Legarda believes the defense could have done better by reading the plays more efficiently. Legarda believes they could have started off the game better, but it’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish.

Legarda and the team will prepare to play for Kingsburg by giving max effort at practice and giving max effort in the weight room.

Legarda had one more thing to say to the Ranger nation, “Ya’ll be ready for this season.”

Wide Receiver Luke Yavasile ‘27, prepared himself physically for the game against Dinuba, “I put on a lot more muscle this time, so I feel like I wouldn’t be afraid of being hit. I feel like I might absorb hits a little bit more. I figured I could have more fun with it,” said Yavasile.

What Yavasile believed he succeeded most in this game was in special teams.

With Yavasile rushing for a touchdown in the game where his grandpa, the late, great John Yavasile, was honored, he felt a flurry of emotions, “I felt like I was gonna start crying happy tears; I was so happy that day. I pointed up at him to honor him.”

Yavasile was given the game ball, which was signed by all the players on the team.

Yavasile is going to prepare himself as a player for the game against Kingsburg by having the same mindset they had going into the game against Dinuba.

Head Coach Curtis Allen emphasized that the Rangers came into this game preparing to play a tough Dinuba team. 

Dinuba likes to play bully ball; they like to run the ball, and they like to run play action. Besides it all, the Rangers came ready; they ran inside runs, and they had big guys up front in the defensive line. They were ready to win.

 The team played hard, but they committed a lot of “Mistakes; we made a lot of mistakes, and the penalties are concerning, but we played hard; we played persistently, and we stuck to the game plan,” said Allen.

The Rangers are going to prepare for Kingsburg the same way they always prepare for every opponent. Putting in effort, watching a lot of film, and correcting mistakes that were made.

Allen and the coaches are going to prepare for the game against Kingsburg by finding the best way to put their guys in a position to win.

Allen had one more thing to say, “Ranger up, let’s go! All for the Rangers.”

Tags: football, gigantea, Gigantea athletics, Redwood, redwood athletes, redwood athletics, season opener, sports, visalia ca