A perfect homecoming
By Jesse Phelps

The defense took over when it counted in Nordhoff's potentially league-deciding game with Oak Park last Friday before a large, raucus homecoming crowd. The Rangers took control of their own destiny with an 18-10 victory, made possible by a record-breaking interception return from Sean Baier and some stellar play from wide receiver and defensive back Andy Doyle.

Leading 12-3 halfway through the second quarter, the Rangers (6-1, 4-0) were in trouble nonetheless. An interception by Gavin Ketchum gave the Eagles the ball near midfield, where they drove reletlessly toward the Nordhoff goal line and looked to be in position to pull within a field goal before the half.

That's when Doyle, who also recorded six tackles on the day, picked off a pass near the goal line to take back possession for the Rangers.

Suddenly playing a game of who-can-turn-it-over-fastest, the Rangers proceeded to waste the opportunity by fumbling the ball a few plays later. Now Oak Park had posession inside the Ranger 25 once again.

But the Eagles (6-1, 3-1) also continued to have trouble holding onto the ball - and this time it cost them big. As in school-record big.

On second and five at the Nordhoff 7-yard line, with the Eagles looking to pass, Baier dropped back into coverage and may have been surprised when the ball came directly to him on the goal line.

Surprised or not, his reaction was by the books. With a host of teammates setting up stellar blocking, he rumbled 100 yards for a touchdown, a school record and an 18-10 Nordoff lead.
"I got caught from behind a couple of times but I got in," said an elated Baier.

"What a great, great play," added Nordhoff coach Cliff Farrar.
The lead would stand up even as, in the second half, the Eagles mounted a furious charge behind senior wide receiver Brandon Koller. Though Ketchum has received much of the ink and attention from the writers and the experts, it was Koller who, to the dismay of the Nordhoff crowd, kept finding an opening along the eastern sideline during two impressive second-half drives.

The first resulted in a touchdown. The second, in which Koller caught four consecutive passes to drive deep into Ranger territory, ended on an overthrown ball on fourth down with just 25 seconds to go. In less than a minute, the Eagles had driven nearly 60 yards but couldn't find the capper. Had they scored, a two-point conversion would have sent the game into overtime.

Ryan Whitcomb had one of his better games as a Ranger, despite the interception. On the day, he completed 10 of 13 passes for 105 yards and a key touchdown to Doyle, who reached up and caught the ball on a fade into the near corner of the end zone over the outstretched arms of a defender.

"I thought, in the first half, Doyle was our MVP," Farrar said.
That play, the first of the second quarter, put the Rangers up 12-3. It was particularly handy that Whitcomb and Doyle had it working on a day when the usually-fierce Nordhoff running game looked to be out of gas.

Aside from the Ranger's first score of the day - a 9-yard power run from Josh Catlett - they couldn't get a lot working on the ground. For the first time in what seemed like years, Will Strong was shut out of the end zone, though he still led all Ranger runners with 56 yards on 19 carries.

The Rangers need only win out to claim the Tri-Valley League title, and with upcoming games at home against league rivals Santa Paula (breakers of Ranger hearts the last two years) and Oaks Christian (CIF No. 1 in Division IX), they'll have a decent shot, if not an easy one. Should the Rangers best Santa Paula, their game against Oaks Christian Nov. 7 would be not only to take league, but also the whole of Division XI.
But for now, the Rangers can celebrate their biggest win of the year.

Said Farrar, "Our guys played like it was a championship game, which it was. Our guys played their hearts out."
Next up for Nordhoff is Santa Paula on Friday night, to be followed by a potential showdown for the league with Oaks Christian the following week.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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