Rangers lose 21-14; Fight for Play-off Spot

Basim Hussain '20

Junior Ashton Worstell runs the ball for a few yards.

Cam Erickson '21 and Abby Papetti '21

This past Saturday, the Rangers football team lost to the Nashoba Chieftains during the Ranger Fest game. The Rangers hold a record of 2-4, with two games remaining in the regular season.

The team started off with a 21 point lead after touchdowns from juniors Kevin McCarthy (FB), Declan Van Nest ((TE) and Ashton Worstell (RB). The Rangers let up two touchdowns. At half time, the Rangers still had a lead of 7 points with a score of 21-14. 

As Nashoba dominated in the second half, they were able to tie the game up at 21-21 and head toward overtime.

The Rangers entered overtime, and the coin flip decided that Nashoba would get the ball first from the ten yard line. After Nashoba tried to rush the ball into the end zone, the Rangers did a good job holding their ground, and only allowing Nashoba to kick a field goal, awarding them three points. 

After letting up three points, the Rangers had to score a touchdown to win the game, or kick a field goal to tie the game. On third down and one yard to the goal line, senior quarterback Luke Lentine, handed the ball to McCarthy on a run up the middle. 

Referees claimed that McCarthy fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Nashoba. It seemed that McCarthy had been down before the ball was released, which rules it may not have been a fumble. 

Despite this controversial play, the game ended with the outcome of Nashoba winning 24-21, pushing the Rangers record to 2-4. 

“It was obviously disappointing to be winning most of the game and then let a team come back and win it, but we know if we want to be successful, that we have to learn from it and move on to next week,” Lentine says.

Regardless of the outcome of past ga

mes, the Rangers still have two upcoming games against Marlborough and Fitchburg. 

“We’re in a must win situation, these next two games we’re gonna need everything we’ve prepared for over the course of this year and an entire team effort,” says McCarthy.

The Rangers play at home today at 3:45 p.m. against the Marlborough Panthers.