If you like offense, this probably was not your night. If you like defense, field position, and the growing realization that three points might actually be enough, Traylor Stadium had you covered.
Richmond Randle improved to 2-0 Thursday with a 3-0 win over Spring Westfield in one of the strangest Texas High School football scores you will see all season.
Yes, 3-0. No typo. No missing digit.
The Lions finally broke a scoreless tie late in the third quarter when Ayo Awobokun connected on a short field goal. That came after Texas commit Landen Williams-Callis ripped off a 35-yard run that helped push Randle deep into Westfield territory.
Once those three points went on the board, they suddenly felt enormous.
Westfield had its best chance to answer in the fourth quarter, but Randle blocked a field goal attempt with less than 10 minutes remaining. The Mustangs got the football back two more times, but Randle’s defense kept them from putting together the drive they needed.
Williams-Callis eventually helped finish things himself.
The senior carried 33 times for 149 yards and converted a critical third-and-4 with less than two minutes remaining, allowing Randle to keep the clock moving and essentially end the night.
For a player known for touchdowns, Williams-Callis never reached the end zone. Randle did not need him to.
The Lions have now allowed just 14 points through two games after beating South Oak Cliff 20-14 in Week 1. That is a pretty good way to start a season, especially when the schedule opens with South Oak Cliff and Westfield.
Westfield should not come away feeling dramatically different about its season, either. The Mustangs went toe-to-toe with one of the better teams in the state and held an offense featuring one of Texas’ best running backs without a touchdown.
There are ugly losses. This was not one of them.
Randle simply survived the kind of game where every yard mattered, one special teams play changed everything, and a field goal became the equivalent of a three-touchdown lead.
The Lions are 2-0 and off next week before hosting Victoria East on Sept. 17. Westfield falls to 1-1 and returns home Sept. 10 against Willis.
Final: Richmond Randle 3, Spring Westfield 0.
