Yellow Jackets sting Bulldogs with 62-0 win

What a difference a week makes.

Meridian ISD Head Coach Wade Morton said his football players got to have a lot of fun when the Jackets beat the Ranger Bulldogs, 62 to 0, in the second District 8-2A DIV II football game on Friday, Oct. 9, in Ranger.

The Meridian Yellow Jackets now stand 1-1 in district play, 3-3 overall -- putting them fourth in the league.

The second year coach Morton said, “It’s the first time in three years we won a game on the road.”

As has been the case all year, Meridian played many of its ninth graders, including two starting running backs -- Brady Taylor, who rushed for 88 yards; and Teagan Smith, who tacked on an additional 125 yards.

The Jackets ran a multitude of sets on offense, which kept Ranger off balance and unable to figure out what was coming at them. By keeping the Ranger defense guessing all night, Meridian rushed for in excess of 400 yards.

Things will get tougher this week, however as the Cross Plains Buffaloes come to town Friday, Oct. 16, for what will be game to ensure the winner a spot in the playoffs. Kick off is at 7 p.m., Friday.

Cross Plains (2-0 district, 6-1 overall) was highly regarded coming into the season and Meridian will have to be physical to match up with the more experienced foe.

Morton felt comfortable in saying he feels good about the speed the Jackets will bring to the game. However, when you play a team like Cross Plains it will take a great deal of physicality to win the game.