Lining up in their typical I formation only a handful of times, the Rangers came out in a four wide-out formation that first confused and then routed host Bucklin Friday night in a 74-26 romp that was over at the half.
Lining up as receivers on a majority of the plays were Darren Hayse, Andru Twiner, Thomas Derstein and freshman K T Watson, meaning quarterback Cody Headrick had only three offensive linemen in front of him as he took the snap. And while Headrick completed nine passes for 84 yards, he also rushed the ball as many times picking up 54 yards on the ground as well.
“They (Bucklin) had no idea what was coming,” Greensburg Coach Clint Young said later. “They just ran a three-man line against us all night and never did blitz so Cody never really had much pressure. This was a chance to let him settle down and have some options on offense and he did well at it. We did this to help him realize he has more time back there than he thinks. Four receivers means he has four options to go to and you complete one of every three passes in that formation and you’ll do okay.”
Bucklin Coach Steve Hokanson asked Young after the early end if the Rangers were trying something new. Young simply replied, “We’ve had it (spread formation) in for a while but just never used it.”
Tailback Nathan Charlton, meanwhile, was healthy enough to finally win his sideline argument with Young to get a couple of touches which he converted into 65 yards, one of the two a 50-yard scamper into the end zone. Grant Sirois, meanwhile, didn’t even make the trip, owing to him having a sinus infection Young wanted the senior to keep to himself.
“I didn’t want him spreading anything around to anyone else, so I told him to just stay home and rest up,” Young said. “I want him to be able to go against Jetmore Friday night.”
Young was most happy with the play of his special teams units, noting a 60-yard kickoff return for a score by Billy Stensland when he had the ball lateraled to him by Twiner. Twiner later caused a fumble with a vicious hit on an Aces’ kick return that was picked up and returned by Ty Schaef for yet another score.
One area Young was not pleased with, however, was a less than stingy pass defense that gave up 225 yards and four touchdown passes, three of them 56 yards or longer.
