4A Team of the Week: Midland Greenwood Rangers
It looked like it was time to turn off the lights when Andrews took a 28-15 lead over Greenwood with just three minutes to play on Friday.
The Rangers had other ideas. Dylan Payton specifically.
Payton caught a 27-yard touchdown from Lincoln Madrid to cut the Mustang lead to 28-22. From there, he kicked an onside kick that the Rangers recovered, giving them one last chance. Madrid worked some more magic, finding Peyton Rauman for a five-yard touchdown as time expired. Payton then executed his final act, nailing the extra point with zeroes on the clock to clinch an incredible 29-28 win for the Rangers.
The Greenwood Rangers defeated the Andrews Mustangs for the first time since 2021 with a game winning PAT from Dylan Payton.
How could you not love football after seeing Coach Hill’s reaction?@GreenwoodAth | @Coach_BHill pic.twitter.com/UydDJUZkVe
— Paxton Graf (@Paxton_Graf) September 14, 2024
“I’m not sure anyone gave us a chance to come back after Andrews went up 13 points with three minutes on the clock. I was so proud of the belief our players showed in each other when mounting a comeback of that nature,” Greenwood head coach Bryan Hill said. “Andrews is an incredibly physical team that is well coached in all phases of the game. That being said, it takes a special group of young men with unbelievable determination to overcome such adversity with time running out. It was a great team win and one that we will be able to look back on the next time adversity strikes.”
Madrid finished with 152 yards and two touchdowns while Payton had four catches for 53 yards and his crucial late touchdown. However, for all the late heroics through the air, the Ranger run game shouldn’t be overlooked. Nathaniel Romero had a big night as Greenwood’s bell cow, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.
The Rangers will continue to test themselves ahead of their district opener on October 18. Next up is a talented 3A Shallowater side that beat them a year ago. Greenwood will look for some revenge this Friday at 7:00 in front of its home fans.
Previous 4A Teams of the Week
Week One: Pine Tree
Week Two: Paris
