The Redwood Rangers left it all on the field Friday night, trading blows with Tulare Union in a high-scoring battle before ultimately falling short, 49–42. Despite the setback, Redwood’s explosive offense and relentless defense showed flashes of what could be the new start of Redwood football.
Burk and Arreola Power the Offense
Senior running back Jimmie Burk remained the driving force behind the rangers attack, staking up yards and finding the end zone on a crucial third-quarter touchdown run that briefly gave Redwood the lead. Burk’s ability to break tackles and extend plays kept the Tribe defense on its back foot all game.
Quarterback Jordan Arreola also led the rangers offense with authority
finishing with multiple scoring drives with key completions to receivers Drayton Hall and Jairus Brooks, who both stepped up in Sesay’s absence. Brooks hit pay station on a sharp 9-yard strike in the second quarter, while Hall made chain-moving grabs to fuel Redwood’s push.
Defensive Standouts Keep Rangers Close
On the other side of the ball, Redwood’s defense showed heart, recording three sacks and multiple stops in critical moments.
Michael White was a force in the middle, racking up 11 tackles and a sack.
Landon Guenter and Abram Feldstein each added sacks of their own, pressuring Tulare Union quarterback Jordan Crisp into hurried throws.
Linebacker Enrique Segura filled lanes with authority, chipping in timely tackles to hold Tulare Union’s rushing attack in check.
Back-and-Forth Thriller
The Rangers went toe-to-toe with Tulare Union throughout the night, heading into halftime tied 28–28. Burk’s third-quarter touchdown gave Redwood a 35–28 advantage, sparking hope for an upset.
But Tulare Union answered quickly, and after trading scores in the second half, Redwood entered the fourth quarter locked in a 42–42 shootout. The decisive blow came late when Crisp powered in a short rushing touchdown, putting Tulare Union in the final lead.
Redwood’s final drive ended just shy of the end zone as time ran out.
Looking Ahead
The loss drops Redwood to 1–2, but the Rangers showed both offensive depth and defensive toughness against some of the valley's top teams. With Burk continuing to dominate on the ground and receivers like Hall and Brooks proving they can make big plays, Redwood has plenty to build on.
The Rangers return to the Mineral King Bowl on September 12 to host Tulare Western, aiming to even their record and protect home turf.