BRYAN -- The Rudder Rangers lost to El Campo 55-26 Friday night at Merrill Green Stadium. The Rangers are now 0-2 on the season. The Ricebirds are 2-0.

El Campo led 14-6 after one quarter and added to that lead in the second quarter on a 14 yard touchdown run by Keith Sparks. A Montray Jackson interception would set up El Campo in Rudder territory. Two plays later Bryce Brandl would score from one yard out to make it 28-6.

Rudder tried to kick a field goal on the final play of the first half but there was a bad snap on the play. Chance Jones tried to make something out of the play but his pass was picked off by BJ Flagg who returned it for a touchdown. The Ricebirds had a 35-6 halftime lead.

El Campo would extend that lead to 55-6 in the second half but Rudder would not go away. Tre Guyton scored on a seven yard touchdown run to cut into the Ricebird lead. The Rangers scored the final 20 points of the game but did fall to El Campo 55-26. After the game Rudder head coach C.M Pier talked about his team's effort. "The kids have some character and I like these kids but being good people and having character is not the only thing that is going to win ball games for you. We have to execute, bottom line. We have to block, we have to tackle, we have to execute the coverages that are called, we have to execute the alignments that are called, we have to execute the block, we have to do that period."

Rudder will be back home September 14 to open district 18-4 play against Magnolia. The Rangers are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in school history.