Kemmerer junior Hayden Walker wraps up a Pinedale runner during the game on Friday, Sept. 15, at home. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

The Kemmerer Rangers hosted the Pinedale Wranglers Friday night for a game under the lights. A win wasn’t in the cards for the Rangers as Pinedale ended up on top 20 to 0.

The Rangers came out strong and eager to beat the Wranglers. Kemmerer slugged it out for four quarters and battled Pinedale until the end. The team continues to get better game by game, explained head coach Bart Jernigan.

“The loss hurts,” Jernigan said.  “Anytime you put yourself out there and don’t measure up as well as you’d have liked, there is going to be some sting to it.”

The Rangers didn’t give up all game long, and it showed. This team has improved greatly by keeping the pressure on and wearing down their opponents.

“We have a tough group of young men and coaches,” Jernigan said. “They are committed to the process. That process is going to include losses: it’s not whether you lose, it’s how you choose to react to those losses that defines you. And for the overall vision of where we can be as a team and as people individually, we are improving every day.”

The team executed a lot of tough plays. In overall scrimmage yards the Rangers were only outgained by ten or so yards by Pinedale. The Kemmerer players are doing a great job moving the ball between the 20-yard lines. Jernigan said they will be focusing a lot this week on finishing those drives and putting the ball in the end zone.

Freshman Austin Quin Martinez ran the ball for 163 yards against Pinedale.

“Of course if the running back’s name is in the paper, the blocks in front of him are probably good, too, so I have to include our fullback, junior Anthony Tibbetts, and our offensive line (Hayden Walker, Jeff Caugherty, Jeydon Boyd, Lowell Ellis, Thomas Archibald, and Cyrus Skidmore) in the praise,” Jernigan said.

Pinedale was up 14 to 0 when the teams broke for halftime. A group of fifth-grade girls who call themselves “The Savages” choreographed and performed a halftime show for the crowd with the help of Noel Jernigan. The crowd loved it.

“Defensively, I was proud of the effort of our young men particularly in the second half,” Jernigan said. “We are building up an identity wherein other teams’ running backs are feeling the pain by the fourth quarter because we are wearing on them. That’s the swarming attitude we need to keep up.”

Kemmerer has been fortunate to have almost no injuries so far this year. The players have earned some nicks and dings, but that’s pretty standard fare at this point in the year.

Jernigan said he’s happy with the way things are working and there won’t be any huge position changes at this time.

“We feel pretty confident that players are in the spot where they can best contribute to the team’s success at the moment,” Jernigan said.

According to Ranger coaches, practices have been good and the team members are keeping up a great attitude

“These young men are committed to the process of perpetual improvement and they come with that mindset every day,” Jernigan said. “We have moments where it’s not perfect, but those are rare. I would say this is one of the best practicing teams I’ve ever had the chance to coach.”

The Rangers still have a shot at the playoffs. It would have been ideal to snag one or both of the first conference games this year, but the team still has four conference games remaining this season. That leaves their work cut out for them, but anything can happen with a team that has this great attitude and drive to win.

Kemmerer is getting pumped up and ready for the Homecoming game Friday night against the Big Piney Punchers.

“Big Piney is a formidable opponent, Jernigan said. “They bring a dozen seniors and a bunch of guys with all-conference and all-state accolades. So there’s no doubt that they’ll be our stiffest test yet.”

As for strategy, the Rangers have a plan.

“It’s all basic stuff, but I’ve always believed that you have to nail the fundamentals to be a great team,” Jernigan said. “So we’re going to keep it as simple as possible while still keeping it effective.”

Kemmerer Rangers have a grit and focus that will shine bright under the lights this Friday night. See you at 7:00 p.m. for the Homecoming game.