Seniors Messenger, Clabaugh help Reading pull away for statement win over White Pigeon
"We practiced a lot and watched for the T-offense"
Reading couldn't have asked for a better start to their 2022 season. When the Rangers said they were 'hungry' to win big games, they did not tell lies. A MHSFCA Top 10 matchup between No. 5 Reading and No. 7 White Pigeon was voted as the Detroit Lions High School Game of the Week and the Hillsdale Daily News Game of the Week. Reading's senior class showed up in a big way with the state spotlight on their team.
Reading pinned their ears back defensively and set their sights on the end zone, putting away the White Pigeon varsity football team 33-14. Seniors shined on both sides of the ball for the Rangers in what would be a performance that could be likened to 'senior night'.
The White Pigeon offense did roll early on but this was something the Rangers had expected.
"We knew they would want to play smash mouth football," said head coach Rick Bailey. "We said 'It's going to take a moment to get used to the T-offense and the speed they run it'; because you can't teach that in practice. They moved the ball on us there in the beginning of the game but then our defense honed in on it."
The Rangers limited White Pigeon to 56 carries and 155 rushing yards; the passing yards through the air: zero.
"Our defensive backs (Landen Clabaugh, Tayshawn Bester and Jacob Hamilton) did an outstanding job tonight," said senior Maverick Messenger.
Senior Landen Clabaugh stepped into the spotlight and made several key plays for the Ranger defense. Clabaugh took an interception all the way to the house in the late stages of the third quarter. The senior added a successful extra point attempt as well. Coach Bailey speculated that the point-after try was their first since the 2019 state championship game.
The entire defense played inspired throughout the game. 2021 All-State DB Jacob Hamilton got his hands on the ball for an interception. Junior Tayshawn Bester also added an interception to his state line. 2021 All-State linebacker Joey Campbell earned six tackles.
Offensively, the Rangers were able to move the ball through the air and on the ground. Senior quarterback Colton Bassage through a touchdown pass to Colton Wiler in the first half and had a screen pas touchdown to Maverick Messenger. The senior was 6-11 for 132 total yards. Bassage was quick to put emphasis on the defensive efforts of the Rangers and his teammates' performances on offense.
"We practiced a lot and watched for the T-offense," said Bassage. "Things fell into place and the scoreboard went our way. All around our wide receivers and line did a good job."
One of the most talked about players from the battle of D8 playoff hopefuls was senior Maverick Messenger. Messenger marched onto the field and put on an offensive clinic. His 50 yard screen touchdown in the first half set the tone for the rest of the game. The senior added 113 yards on the ground including a 40-plus yard rushing touchdown to start the fourth quarter. Maverick also added eight tackles on defense.
Messenger atrributed his strong start to the season with the chip-on-his shoulder that he carried through last year into this summer offseason.
"After a lot of injuries last season, I had to make this season count," said Messenger. "I put in a lot of work in the weightroom and a lot of throwing with (Bassage). I had to make sure I made this my year."
Messenger was not the only running back to put a score on the board. Lukas Strine punched it in with 6:37 left in the third quarter. Strine added a fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter to help seal the game.
Coach Bailey credited the team's physical and mental toughness to the work put in by the 16 seniors this offseason and in the practices leading up to the Thursday night matchup. However, coach Baily was quick to add that the team has a long way to go before they are locked in to mid-season form.
"We talked about answering the bell in terms of physicality and intensity because we knew that White Pigeon was a good team. We made some big plays. Our offense executed well and I think we lost focus a couple times but I'm really pleased where we're at. Our motto is that we need to get better for the next game."
Messenger echoed his head coach's sentiments. The Rangers will head back on the road with another game against a perennial playoff contender. The Rangers will take on Grass Lake on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m. It's another road matchup for the Rangers, but Reading had their number last season when they won 30-12. However, the Warriors bring back some talented playmakers this season including track state champion Andrew Stockton.
To add to the difficulty, the Rangers will have to retool their defense and offensive attack, a complete 180' from the offense they saw against White Pigeon. Messenger says they will see a spread offense that is heavily influenced by RPO plays (run-pass-option).
"We got to make sure to switch up our defense next week. We got to change our coverages."
The Rangers could debut with a new position in the coach's poll or make their debut in the Associated Press D8 rankings next Monday. However, a loss to Grass Lake could send them back to the drawing board. Stay tuned to the Daily News for more information and stories as the team gets ready for week two. Keep an eye out for video highlights on the first episode of County Football: Sights and Sounds, debuting this Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Reading seniors shine in statement win over White Pigeon
