NMMI Sports Press
Sophomore starting quarterback Kobe Muasau had another big game passing the ball with 360 yards and three touchdowns, but also two picks, including one that went 95 yards the other way for a Kilgore touchdown, coupled with the inability to sustain a rushing attack, doomed the No. 10 Broncos in the second half.
The Institute struck first with a 56-yard bomb from Muasau to sophomore wideout Treyvion Beamon less than a minute into the contest. Kilgore scored twice through the air before the Broncos tied it with another completion to Beamon, this one a short out route that left the speedy Floridian wide open as a scrambling Muasau drew the defender in.
The Broncos forced a three-and-out on the next Kilgore possession and got the ball back at midfield. Muasau found Beamon for a 39-yard gain to the Rangers' 11 and the teams traded penalities with NMMI getting the better end of the deal with a first down at the 6-yard line from a pass interference call.
But after two ineffective rushing attempts, disaster struck on third-and-11 as Muasau was hit on the throw and his pass intended for tight end Noah Armijo floated into the waiting arms of a Kilgore defender at the 5 and went all the way back for the Ranger touchdown, making the score 21-14 in favor of the visitors early in the second quarter.
The Rangers looked primed to score again on their next drive, but on second-and-7 at the NMMI 19, Kilgore quarterback Michael Phoenix's end zone pass was deflected by freshman defensive back Stilton McKelvey, then bobbled and eventually intercepted by sophomore DB Churchill Williams, who brought the ball out to the Bronco 41-yard line.
After the ensuing drive stalled, Kilgore began their next series with 59-yard run into the NMMI red zone by speedy runner Kaden Meredith, who would've scored without McKelvey taking a good angle from the opposite side of the field and pushing Meredith out of bounds.
The Rangers eventually pounded the ball into the end zone to double their lead late in the second quarter. The Broncos responded with 70-yard catch and run as Muasau found sophomore receiver Isaiah Stephens streaking down the right sideline. After the catch, Stephens stopped, shucked off the defender and then sprinted into the middle of the field, splitting defenders on his way to the goal line.
The second half started with another takeaway for the Bronco defensive backs as McKelvey played tight coverage over the middle, again getting a hand on the Kilgore pass, knocking it into the air for sophomore DB Donovan Jones to snag.
But as Jones returned the ball down the Kilgore sideline to midfield, a Ranger defender was blocked into his path, causing a massive collision that led to a lost fumble. Kilgore took over and scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass to take a 35-21 lead.
The Broncos worked their ensuing drive down to the Kilgore 32, but a third-down pass intended for sophomore Andre Hall was picked off inside the 5, where the Rangers took over with little room to breathe. NMMI jumped on the opportunity as freshman linebacker Johnny Fano shot through the gap and wrapped up the quarterback in the end zone, scoring a safety when Cameron Peters was flagged for intentional grounding.
But the Broncos were unable to capitalize on the big play, going three-and-out on their next drive and managing little offense for the rest of the game.
Muasau's favorite target was Hall with nine receptions for 109 yards. Beamon caught three balls for 90 yards and two scores, bringing his season touchdown total to 10. Stephens had four snags for 86 yards and the long score.
NMMI's run game was anemic again, posting 30 net rushing yards on 29 attempts.
The Broncos hit the road for a Saturday showdown with the Blinn Buccaneers in Brenham, Texas at 7 p.m. CDT (Texas time).