With the Sterling Rangers coming off a three-game winning streak, they traveled to Galveston to grab themselves another victory from their rivals, the Ball High Tornadoes in a very intense match-up, 21-20.

For both teams, the first quarter went off to a very strong start. Ball scored the very first touchdown of the game after blocking a punt, taking it straight into the end zone. Immediately, Sterling responded back with returner Shaquille Leaks scoring a 94-yard kickoff return, and the offense succeeded on a two-point conversion leading 8-7. These two scores were followed by a Ball recovering a failed onside kick by Sterling, and Sterling corner-back Chris McCarty intercepting a pass from Ball’s quarterback Corieon Sanders. In the second quarter, both teams scored rushing touchdowns still making the contest one point game, 15-14.

Upon Sterling extending their lead after senior running back Elijah Lewis scored a rushing touchdown but missing the two point conversion, Ball responded in the fourth quarter with another rushing touchdown from running back Rodney Tipps, but couldn’t tie the game after a missed extra point.

Both sides exchanges turnovers, but Sterling’s Shaquille Leaks sealed the deal after making a game-winning interception, making the Rangers win 21-20.

For next week, the Rangers will head to Mt. Belvieu, TX to face the Barbers Hill Eagles (4-1) on Thursday, October 2. Ball High will try to rebound from defeat, but it’ll be against the undefeated Port Arthur Memorial Titans (5-0) on Friday, October 3.

Photography credited to J. Chumley Photography