The Richland Rebels (1-0) started their 2017 seasons with an assertive win as they defeated the Nolan Catholic Vikings (0-1) 65-25 on Thursday night inside Doskocil Stadium.
For Richland, nearly every facet of their game looked flawless as the various units of the team looked in sync early and often to help Richland deliver an overall complete game. Quarterback Drew Trent looked about as poised and comfortable in the pocket as you can be as he threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns while producing one on the ground.
His backfield companion, running back Rylee Johnson had a stellar game as well as he ran for 176 yards and four touchdowns and put his stamp on his performance when he capped his night off with a 75-yard run to end the third quarter. Rashee Rice led the night in receiving for Richland with 186 yards and two touchdowns while defensive lineman/kicker Connor O’Neal was automatic in the kicking game as he went 3-for-3 with field goals at distances from 29, 28 and 30.
Head coach George Kates while proud of the way his team performed was quick to point out that there are still some issues to address but overall it was a good night for his team.
“I’m glad from the outside it looked smooth. It wasn’t at all but you know it’s the first game of the season,” said Kates. “Some kids, it’s their first game of varsity play and no matter how you prepare them, it’s a big night.”
“One thing we are really good at is keeping level heads, playing the next play and making the important one and burying stuff and our guys did that. And when the other guys got in that weren’t the [starters] I was really proud of how hard they played and how much fun they had,” said Kates.
Kates also commented on the improvements he saw from Nolan Catholic in their second year with coach David Beaudin.
“Coach Beaudin is in his second year in the program and he was behind the 8-ball last year, he had to come in and really have only 2-3 months but they’re playing hardcore. The coach is a good man, they’re good coaches and they were a lot better this year.”
Nolan Catholic had trouble trying to find the end zone but when they did, it came in big chunks conducted by quarterback Luke Macias.Wide Receiver Danny Taylor got the first score of the season for the Vikings in the form of a 24-yard touchdown reception and running back Rory Mitchell had himself a 23-yard touchdown reception. Trae King had himself an impressive 53-yard haul for a touchdown on the night as well.
Richland’s next opponent is Keller Central and Nolan Catholic is scheduled to play Joshua.
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