San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Smithson Valley 28, Madison 0
Quick take: In a matchup of former district rivals, Smithson Valley used a stifling defense to shut out Madison 28-0 Friday night at Ranger Stadium on Senior Parents Night.
The Rangers (2-0) limited the Mavericks to 69 yards total offense with just 18 allowed in the second half.
Smithson’s Valley’s offense piled up 357 yards with 215 coming on the ground.
Highlights: A 38-yard pass from Derek Mata to Zack McDonald opened the scoring early in the first quarter for the Rangers. The senior quarterback found his receiver streaking down the right sideline, and McDonald hauled in the pass as he raced past the Madison defender.
The Mavericks’ special teams unit was not able to handle the ensuing kickoff cleanly and gave Smithson Valley the ball back at its own 18.
Madison’s defense held this time and was able to get to
Mata on a third and long. On the play, the Rangers’ signal caller appeared to be pulled down by his leg. He later limped off the field as was replaced by wide receiver Chase Senelick under center.
Smithson Valley’s drive stalled there, and Madison (1-1) was able to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard.
Smithson Valley got on the board again in the second quarter when Senelick found his big tight end Dylan Domel on the left sideline. Domel reached over a Madison defender to make the catch and take it in for a score to give the Rangers a 14-0 lead.
Madison again was stymied by the Rangers defense on the next drive. McAllister Saul got to the Mavericks’ Caden Mata for a 3-yard sack that forced a Madison punt.
After a short 11-yard punt,
Smithson Valley got the ball back at the Mavericks’ 35-yard line. Malachi Lane capped off a seven-play drive with a 14-yard run through the middle of Madison’s defense for a touchdown.
Smithson Valley’s defense limited Madison’s offense to 51 yards in the first half. The offense was able to amass 198 yards in the half.
The two squads traded possessions
in the third quarter with Madison turning away the Rangers near its own goal line when Damian Mendoza intercepted Senelick inside the 5-yard line.
The Rangers picked up the scoring again in the fourth quarter riding their third running back of the night on a 68-yard drive. Sophomore Doug Lantz carried the ball seven times for 38 yards and capped off the drive with a 26-yard run to give Smithson Valley a 28-0 lead to seal the game with 7:04 left.
Game balls: It was a team effort for Smithson Valley, which was led by Senelick ,who was forced into action because of the injury to Derek Mata.
Senelick finished the game with 8 of 19 passing for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Travis McCracken had the bulk of the Rangers’ carries, toting the ball for 66 yards on 19 carries. Lane gained 61 on only nine carries with a second quarter touchdown.
Keshaun Rodgers came in off the bench to lead Madison with 32 yards on 8 carries.
Up next: Madison opens District 28-6A hosting Roosevelt at 7 p.m. Friday at Heroes Stadium. El Paso Eastwood makes the long trek to face Smithson Valley in the Rangers’ last nondistrict game at 7 p.m. Friday.