Coyotes drop Rangers for second loss of season
by Misty Volaski

Ranger receiver Jairus Rothermel, was all over the field last Friday, catching nine passes for 112 yards (tying Nordhoff's record for passes caught) and scoring Nordhoff's only touchdown. Rothermel also led the team in tackles, knocking the Coyotes off their feet 17 times.
However, it wasn't nearly enough to foil the Calabasas Coyotes, who, with a far superior team, cut through the Ranger defense for the win, 26-7.
It was a far cry from last year's game, in which (as team members and coaches alike predicted) Nordhoff 's solid offense was able to drive in a 21-18 win over the Coyotes.
With only a few remaining standouts from last year's undefeated (in league) team, the Rangers were fighting a seriously uphill battle.
This Friday's game will be at Carpinteria at 7:30 p.m. Last year, Nordhoff laid the Warriors to rest, 21-7, during Nordhoff's homecoming game, limiting Carpinteria to just 40 yards.
Like last year, this year's strength will lie in the Rangers' defense.
Ancient Greeks preached the importance of knowing oneself as well as one's enemy.
The Ranger football squad seems to have followed these guidelines in their preparation for tonight's game against long-time rival Carpinteria.
Nordhoff head coach Cliff Farrar said his players were ready for the away game tonight, adding that, "We have been having some really good practices. Our players have been executing their assignments well."
Nordhoff's strength this year looks to be its defensive line. "We're a little bigger than they are," Farrar noted, which will help against the Warriors' tried-and-true veer offense. He added that Carpinteria had been running the play for a long time, allowing Nordhoff to find a way to block it.
"We're definitely prepared," said Farrar. "It's just a matter of can we stop them?"
However, with Carpinteria's numerous returning players, speed and first-place standing in league, the matchup will prove to be a "close, tough game," said Carpinteria head coach Van Lantham. "We don't expect any different. (Nordhoff) is always very well-coached and very disciplined. They play hard-nosed football, and that makes for a good rivalry."
Last year, Nordhoff bested Carpinteria, 21-7. Historically, the 60-year rivalry has been fairly equal, with both teams having their share of wins and losses.
Tonight's game will be at Carpinteria High School.
Junior varsity will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and varsity at 7:30 p.m.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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