They were perfect… until they weren’t.
After an undefeated start, Vista Ridge fell for the first time this year by a low score of 7-6 to the McNeil Mavericks. The 6A- District 26 loss occurred Thursday at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
After both teams ended their first drives with punts respectively, Vista Ridge drew first blood. Rangers kicker Clarence Deiparine kicked in a pair of field goals from 37 and 32 yards to give the Rangers a 6-0 lead in the first half.
Then, the Mavericks answered.
On a 3rd-and-21 with 3:24 remaining in 2Q, receiver Jarell Gary caught a hook and flipped it to running back Joshua Gayden, who finished the playing sprinting down the sideline for a score. The 26-yard hook-and-lateral was the match’s only touchdown.
McNeil could have scored in the fourth quarter with a clear path to the end zone with 2:00 left. Instead of scoring, Gary wisely took a knee at the 3-yard line, allowing the team to bleed the clock out.
McNeil’s defense was the difference maker, coming up big with three interceptions, including a pair in the first half.
Following two consecutive losses, McNeil did everything right to tilt the low-scoring contest into their favor. With their 3-2 overall record, the Mavericks have already passed last year’s 2-8 marker.
Additionally, Vista Ridge is one victory away from reaching their five-win record set last season.
McNeil next hosts Vandegrift on Friday. Vista Ridge will compete against Westwood on Thursday.
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