The varsity football team enters week nine in a do-or-die situation; a win this week is critical for FHC’s hopes of making the playoffs with a 5-4 record this season. The 4-4 (3-2) Rangers will go on the road for a battle with the 2-6 (2-3) Yellow Jackets of Greenville.

The Ranger coaching staff feels the team is far from perfect, but FHC has been playing consistently well the past few weeks. Junior quarterback Jimmy Scholler is a key conductor of the recently potent offense, as he can be shifty with his legs as well as accurate in the passing game. Jimmy has go-to targets in fellow junior Jackson Clay and senior Tate Hallock, and the three of them, in addition to senior running back Cam Deines, were responsible for all of the Rangers’ touchdowns last week in the 35-10 win over Lowell.

The Yellow Jackets are coming off of a 38-12 loss to Forest Hills Northern, a team FHC beat 49-21. Greenville is big in the passing game, as 269 of their total 338 yards of offense were through the air last week. Senior defensive linemen Kyle Collar and Kyle Wojcyznski and juniors Wyatt Engler and Brandon Weiskopf will be key at putting pressure on the Yellow Jacket quarterback. Cornerbacks Cam and Jackson will be important down the field to break up passes.

Things seem to have clicked for the Rangers on both sides of the ball; they are facing an opponent who shouldn’t be underestimated but is less competitive than teams faced in the past eight weeks. Look for a big offensive showing from the Rangers Friday night to give them a chance at the playoffs.