The Ranger defense pushes Lovell back from the goal line on Friday, Oct. 19. The Rangers took the victory 12–0 to secure a No.4 playoff seed. Kemmerer takes on Buffalo in the first round of playoffs on Friday, Oct. 26, at 7:00 p.m.

On Oct. 19, the Kemmerer Rangers managed to do what no Ranger football team has done since 2012. With Friday’s 12–0 victory against Lovell, Kemmerer secured a spot in the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the 2A west.

The Kemmerer victory against Lovell booted Pinedale out of the playoffs. The Rangers finished the season with a 3–3 conference record and a 4–4 record on the season. The last time the Kemmerer Rangers football team made an appearance in the playoffs was in 2012 against Big Horn. 

The Rangers travel to play Buffalo for the first round of playoffs on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7:00 p.m. Buffalo is the No.1 seed in the East. If Kemmerer wins against Buffalo Friday, the Rangers will play the winner of the Wheatland/Greybull playoff game on Nov. 2.

Rangers head coach Bart Jernigan discussed what went well in Friday’s game against Lovell and what it means for the Rangers to finally have a post-season game again.

“I am happy for the boys, the program, our coaches, and this town. There has been a building desire from the team and the community to realize some tangible form of success ever since I came here,” Jernigan said. “To see this group of young men bring it to fruition in the form of a playoff berth is exciting.” 

Jernigan, who is in his second year as head coach, said his team isn’t satisfied with just making the playoffs — they are after success on Friday.

“Our goal as a program is to perennially find ourselves in the playoffs and compete for state and conference titles,” Jernigan said. “So while we are happy to be in the playoffs, we’d like to make a little noise while we are in them. And we’d like to continue to be in them and making noise for years to come.” 

Kemmerer had 232 total offensive yards in Friday’s game. The Rangers held Lovell to 166 yards.

Sophomore AQ Martinez ran for 97 yards and one touchdown in Friday’s game. Senior Josh Thatcher picked up 59 yards, and junior quarterback Dawson Schramm ran for 37 yards and a Ranger touchdown. Schramm completed three of seven passes.

“I was not entirely pleased with our offensive performance (turnovers and lack of finishing drives in particular), but we moved the ball all right as an offense and came up with a couple of timely scores,” Jernigan said. “Overall the boys played with incredible grit, courage, and confidence despite some early setbacks.”

The Rangers were ready to go in the first quarter against Lovell. Kemmerer’s offense fumbled the ball early, but recovered to execute their strategy of short gains on offense and long possessions. 

With a minute left in the first quarter, Dawson Schramm had a 15-yard touchdown run to break a two-game no scoring streak for the Rangers. An attempt at a two-point conversion was deflected by Lovell in the end zone, bringing the score to 6-0 at the end of the first.

AQ Martinez ran in for a touchdown in the second quarter to up the lead to 12–0. Lovell had a little more fire on offense in the second half, but Kemmerer was determined to take home the victory. With 20 seconds left in the game, Martinez intercepted a Lovell pass and had a big run down the field. He was tackled before reaching the end zone, and the game clock ran out with the Rangers up 12–0.

The Rangers held on to the ball for much of the game, which prevented Lovell from making big plays. But it was Kemmerer’s defense that really secured Friday’s victory.

On defense against Lovell, the Rangers had several strong performances by seniors. Hayden Walker had five solo tackles and helped out on four tackles. Donny Proffit brought down four solo tackles and five assisted tackles. Lowell Ellis had five unassisted tackles and assisted on four. Jeydon Boyd brought down four assisted tackles and four solo tackles. Carson Carlson had three unassisted tackles, and Anthony Tibbetts recorded one solo tackle and two assisted tackles. Thatcher and Brunski each brought down one solo tackle and one assisted tackle. 

“The Lovell victory was spearheaded by a stellar defensive effort and excellent special teams play,” Jernigan said. “To pitch a shutout in that big of a game was impressive. Our tackling was strong and our gameplan was solid. Coach Rogers put together another solid plan and the boys executed it well. We came up with some key stops deep in our own territory to keep them off the board. Special teams and turnovers-forced were key in helping us win the field position battles.”

Friday night’s victory was also special for the Rangers because it was senior night. The team recognized 11 seniors and their families. These Kemmerer seniors were part of the team that broke a years-long losing streak last season.

“They (seniors) have set the foundation for what we hope will be a program that they and this town can long be proud of,” Jernigan said. “When others have quit or walked away, they have stayed the course in an extremely admirable way. They have exhibited a strong work ethic and passion for competition that I hope our young men in the coming classes will emulate.”

Jernigan reflected on the senior class and the role that football plays in the lives of coaches and players on and off the field.

“I am extremely grateful to each of them and their efforts. I have a connection with and love for them that doesn’t always occur with every class. My life and this program have been greatly enriched by each of them,” Jernigan said. “I hope that we have, in kind, added value to their lives that will help make them better students, leaders, citizens, fathers, and husbands in the years to come.”

Ranger fans are eager to return to the playoffs, and Jernigan is preparing to face a tough Buffalo team on Friday.

“(Buffalo) poses a lot of difficulties, so we are very focused on executing our gameplan at an extremely high level,” Jernigan said. “We are focused on execution of our game plan and taking care of the ball and playing cleanly as usual. Reacting to the stress and possible problem moments also is going to be a big key for us this week. If we go and play our game, we will have a shot at bringing home a victory.”

The Rangers are in Buffalo Friday, Oct.26, for the first round of 2A playoffs at 7:00 p.m.