Rangers bury Lancers with Strong performance, 49-10
By Jesse Phelps

The Nordhoff Ranger varsity football team got back on track in a big way on Friday night with an explosive 49-10 first round CIF Southern Section play-off victory over the visiting La Salle Lancers.

After completing an undefeated league season, the Rangers lost a close battle with Division V Arroyo Valley heading into the postseason. That didn't stop them from rebounding in a big way against a hapless Lancer team that finished third in its league with a 3-7 record.

Will Strong, Clark Bigler and Josh Catlett once again carried the offensive load for Nordhoff. Strong racked up 147 yards on only 16 carries and a play-off career-high four touchdowns. Catlett chipped in two scores, gaining 83 yards on just five carries, including a 55-yard touchdown in the second quarterthat opened up a 28-7 Ranger lead.

By then, Strong had already found the end zone three times. Just three minutes into the game, Paul Chesser (five receptions for 121 yards) nabbed a 56-yard pass along the sidelines, dragging three defenders to the Lancer 6.

"No. 21 just slipped and I got past him," said a modest Chesser of the play, which set up Strong's first score, around left end.
The Ranger defense allowed zero total yards in forcing La Salle into two three-and-outs on its first two drives. Strong scored his second touchdown of the opening quarter on Nordhoff's second possession. Barreling through a huge gap in the middle of the line, he scampered in from 8 yards out.

One play into the second quarter, it was Will Strong 21, La Salle 0. This time, it was a 3-yard rumble in coach Cliff Farrar's three-back Jumbo package.

After a 17-yard, third-down touchdown catch by LaSalle's Chris Knowles, it was Catlett's turn. It took just two plays for Catlett to take the Rangers 71 yards and into the half with a 21-point lead.

They would only increase it in the second, after conceding a field goal on La Salle's opening possession. Strong scored for the fourth time about halfway through the third quarter, going off-tackle and up the gut for a 34-yard touchdown.

Casey and Josh Catlett led the defense as it forced another two three-and-outs and Nordhoff got its sixth touchdown with just over a minute gone in the fourth stanza when Bigler (11 carries for 71 yards) literally flipped his way into the end zone for the 42-10 lead.

Casey Catlett said he and his defensive teammates take it personally when an opponent gains a first down. "Everyone played tonight," he said. "Everyone came out to win. It makes my job easier when everyone plays."

Brother Josh finished off the scoring with an 8-yard run after a Tyler Whitcomb fumble recovery late in the game.

Whitcomb's older brother, Ryan, once again looked sharp at the controls of the offense, completing six of 11 passes for 128 yards - all but seven to Chesser. By the time the final horn sounded, every Ranger in uniform had seen some action.

Nordhoff coach Cliff Farrar gave credit to his defense but admitted the score could have been more lopsided still had the Rangers not dropped three of four easy interceptions. He also said he'd like to see improvement in his second offensive unit, which racked up four consecutive penalties at one point late in the fourth quarter. Still, despite the minor glitches, he said he was proud of the effort of his team and their desire to be the best.

"It's agreat group of guys in terms of wanting to win," he said. "Last week we had a great game against Arroyo Valley. I was very pleased with it but our kids were upset because they lost."

Against La Salle, Farrar said, the play of lineman Micah Reed, who opened up some huge holes for Strong, Catlett and Bigler, was tremendous. "He's an outstanding player, he's an outstanding leader. He just brings so many things to the table for us, the intangibles of football. He's a fun guy to be around," said Farrar.

This Ranger team, predicted to finish no better than third in its league, now looks as if it might be around for a while. This weekend it will travel to San Jacinto, which beat No. 4 Valley Christian in its first round contest, 35-21.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. A win would set up a probable rematch with league rival Oaks Christian, who the Rangers beat at home in a nail-biter three weeks ago.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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