Alva Review-Courier -

The Northwestern Rangers hosted Southeastern State Saturday evening for Family Day and the home opener. The first quarter was scoreless, and Southeastern led by only one point at the half. After the Savages made another TD in the third quarter, Northwestern answered in the fourth. But Southeastern posted another touchdown with less than two minutes left to seal the win. The final was Southeastern 24, Northwestern 15.

Scoring

With 11:58 left in the second period, the Savages were fourth and nine at the Ranger 14. Pablo Tarango kicked a field goal putting Southeastern up 3-0.

The Rangers scored with 9:51 left from a second and six on the Savage 19. Torrence Steven rushed in for a 19 yard TD, but Nicholas Dill’s kick was blocked. The Rangers led 6-3.

Southeastern answered with 6:28 left when Daulton Hatley connected on a pass to CJ Shavers for a 34 yard touchdown. Tarango’s kick was good, and Southeastern led 10-6.

Ranger Adrelan Brown recovered a fumble at the Southeastern 12, giving the Rangers another chance. Nicholas Dill kicked a field goal from the 27 putting the Rangers within one point. It was SEOSU 10, NWOSU 9 at the half.

In the third quarter with 6:46 left, Southeastern’s Rollin Kinsaul passed to Ryan Ronces for a 26 yard touchdown play. Tarango’s kick was good, and Southeastern led 17-9 at the end of the third period.

Northwestern answered in the fourth. In a first and ten on the Southeastern 45, Trent Easley connected on a pass to Kentrez Bell for a 45 yard touchdown. The Rangers tried for a conversion, but Northwestern was called for pass interference. The second attempt failed, and the score was SEOSU 17, NWOSU 15.

At the 1:44 mark, Southeastern’s CJ Shavers made a 15 yard rushing touchdown. Tarango’s kick was good. Southeastern led 24-15.

With seconds left, the Rangers made a last ditch attempt to cross the goal line but Southeastern intercepted with thirty seconds left. The Savages took a knee to run out the clock.

Stats

Desiree Malicoat

Northwestern's Kevin Ford (10) makes the catch with Southeastern's Josh Mulumba (21) trying to stop him.

For the Rangers Easley made 15 of 37 passing attempts for 222 yards and one touchdown. Bell received for 88 yards and one TD. Gavin Garner had 47 yards receiving and Jacob Peyton 38. Peyton led in rushing yardage with 114 followed by Baker with 61 and Steven with 19. Overall the Rangers had 179 yards rushing and 222 passing, totaling 401 yards on 78 plays. They lost one fumble.

Leading the Savages in passing with Kinsaul with 9 of 17 completed for 123 yards. Hatley completed 5 of 15 for 33.3 yards and Hawthorne made two of two passes for a negative 18. Ronces led in receiving yards with 26 followed by Shavers with 20.3. Shavers also led in rushing with 87 yards. Southeastern gained a total of 332 yards on 76 plays. Of that total 147 yards were rushing and 185 passing. They lost one fumble and intercepted the ball twice for a total of 37 yards.

Up Next

Northwestern is now 1-1 for the season with nine games still left on the schedule. Next week the Rangers travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to take on Ouachita Baptist in a 6 p.m. game.