Rangers Fall to Wildcat Rushing Attack: The Rangers cut a 21-point deficit to a one-possession game midway through the third quarter, but two fourth quarter touchdowns from Plano resulted in a 42-27 setback to close a three-game road trip at John Clark Stadium. Junior EJ Smith set a new season-high with 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jesuit offense. Senior quarterback Brody Hilberth threw for 21 yards while rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. Junior Tommy Roy led the defense with nine tackles, including seven solo stops, a tackle for loss and forced fumble. Senior Collin Lark recovered a fumble, junior Zach Pendola closed the game with eight stops and junior Jack Barton racked up seven tackles.

Red Zone Offense Continues to Excel: Heading into the penultimate game of the 2018 season, the Rangers are 21-of-23 in the red zone and have scored touchdowns on 82.6 percent of their trips inside the 20-yard line. Smith has scored nine red zone touchdowns, including eight on the ground. The Ranger defense has limited opposing offenses, allowing touchdowns on just 60.9 percent of red zone visits.

Running Game Racking Up Numbers: The Jesuit run game has accounted for 60 percent of the team's scoring against district competition as the Rangers have rushed for 235.2 yards per game since Sept. 22 while scoring 12 touchdowns. Beginning with a season-high 256 yards against Plano West, the Rangers have scored two or more rushing touchdowns in four of their last five games including a four-touchdown performance against Plano. 

Junior Defenders Provide Spark: Four members of the junior class have recorded 25 tackles or more this season, led by a team-leading 47 tackles from juniors Jack Barton and Tommy Roy. Barton recorded the most tackles in a single game since 2015 with 12 tackles against Allen on Oct. 19 while Roy has recorded 24 tackles, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble over the last three weeks. Houston Hummel has 29 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss to his credit while seniors Andrew Gregory and Jacob Jowdy lead the class of 2019 with 27 and 25 tackles, respectively.

Scouting McKinney: The Lions enter Friday's game at 2-6 with a 2-3 record in district play following a 45-42, double overtime loss to Plano East last Friday. McKinney led, 14-7 at the end of the first quarter and forced three turnovers but a 20-point second quarter by Plano East and two fumble recovery touchdowns enabled the Panthers to force overtime. Plano East kicker Angel Martinez coverted a 39-yard field goal to usher the Panthers to the win. McKinney running back Cordrick Dunn rushed for 238 yards and three touchdowns on 42 attempts.

Up Next: Jesuit will close the 2018 campaign on Nov. 9 against Plano East. The Rangers and Panthers will clash at Tom Kimbrough Stadium at 7 p.m.