1A Team of the Week: Boys Ranch Roughriders
In 2024, Boys Ranch made the switch to six-man football after 61 years of playing 11-man. In their inaugural season, the Roughriders went 0-9.
Fast forward two years and they entered this weekend 7-0 with a chance to seal their first district title in school history. It wouldn’t come easy though against fellow undefeated team White Deer.
But playing in the biggest game in Boys Ranch history, the Roughriders rose to the occasion.
Isaac Acosta threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns, while Jacobe Gonzales rushed for 124 yards and another score in a 32-24 victory.
For a team that represents Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, which serves at-risk children from 5-18 years old, it’s an accomplishment that means much more than just football.
“If you know the Boys Ranch program, you know it’s a unique situation,” Boys Ranch head coach Louis Kelley III said. “Winning this district championship took an incredible amount of time, patience, and relationship building. Being the first team in our history to win a district title means everything to these kids and program, teaching them how to push through adversity and help them win at the game of life.”
Mi’Kaiel Cooper led the receiving corps with three catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Gonzales and Camden Yarbrough also had touchdown catches.
Now, the Roughriders will close out the regular season at home against Booker on Friday before turning their attention to the playoffs.
“We’ve got a solid defense that can lock down the run and create turnovers, and on offense, our ability to both run and throw the ball keeps us multiple,” Kelley III said. “This season is going to open doors and show these kids they can do anything.”
Previous 1A Teams of the Week
Week One: Eden
Week Two: Silverton
Week Three: Olfen
Week Four: Hermleigh
Week Five: Borden County
Week Six: Newcastle
Week Seven: Abbott
Week Eight: Knippa
Week Nine: Grandfalls-Royalty