Alva Okla- Northwestern Football had their second home game of the season hosting the Tigers of East Central on family day. The Rangers four game win streak over the Tigers was snapped in a strong defensive battle that would be forced into overtime on a late Rangers touchdown as the comeback bid would fall short following a 25-yard touchdown pass to Lincoln of the Tigers. The Tigers pulled ahead for the 20-17 win in overtime.
The Tigers improve to 3-1 on the season and the Rangers go to 0-4 on the year.
Altogether, Clarkson threw for 176 yards in the game along with two touchdown passes one to Devond Blair Jr. and Gavin Garner. Blair's touchdown resulted from a 22-yard pass from Clarkson straight in the endzone. Clarkson completed a 29-yard pass to Garner for the touchdown that tied the game late in the final minute forcing overtime. Blair finished with 48 yards and a touchdown as Garner finished with 86 yards and a touchdown. Damon Williams ran for 84 total yards.
East Central got on the board first with a touchdown in the first quarter with 1:50 left on the clock to take a 7-0 lead. The Rangers would capitalize on their chance to answer back with a touchdown in the second quarter with 4:35 left on the clock on a touchdown pass from Clarkson to Blair. As the game was locked at 7-7 going into halftime.
The Rangers went into the half with 134 passing yards from quarterback Tanner Clarkson. The Rangers had 46 rushing yards combined between the first and second quarter. Alejandro Aaron led the Rangers defense with three tackles. Brian Holiday, Chima Ozz, and Nehemiah Lewis all had two tackles going into half-time.
The Tigers would grab the first points of the second half on a 20 yard touchdown pass from Hmcir to Abubakar to take a 14-7 lead. However the Rangers would respond on the next drive as Clarkson would connect to Garner for 29 yard touchdown pass to send the game into overtime at 14-14.
Defensive back Dax Benway had his first interception of the season, keeping the Tigers out of the endzone as the interception would happen in the endzone for a touchback. Braxton Kearns also picked off his first pass of the season for an interception as Northwestern took over on their 44-yard line. The third Ranger forced turnover on the night was a fumble recovery.
Garner had an impressive performance on special teams with two blocked Tigers punts in the game to go with a strong offensive performance where he would find the endzone.
Aaron led the Rangers defense with the most tackles in the game, resulting in eight with one assist. James Ellis had three solo and three assisted tackles. Benway had three solo and four assisted tackles.
In overtime Connor O'Neal would hit a field goal to push the Rangers in front at 17-14 as the Tigers go the ball back. On the opening play of the drive the Tigers would connect for a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hmcir to seal a 20-17 ECU victory.
The Rangers are back on the road Oct. 2nd as they travel over to Arkansas to face off against the Tigers of Ouachita Baptist who are 3-1 on the year. The game will be streamed live and kick off is set for 12 PM.
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