KILGORE, Texas – The 12th-ranked Kilgore Rangers held off 20th-ranked Blinn College 49-40 here Saturday despite five touchdowns and more than 250 receiving yards from Buccaneer wide receiver Damion Ratley.
Blinn quarterback Jake Hubenak threw for six touchdowns and more than 500 yards, but was also intercepted three times. Sophomore wide receiver Dede Westbrook caught one touchdown pass and finished with more than 100 receiving yards, and sophomore running back DeVante Mays added more than 100 yards on the ground.
“The kids played hard, we’re just beating ourselves,” Blinn coach Keith Thomas said.
The Buccaneers lost four fumbles on the afternoon to finish with seven turnovers, and made four trips to the red zone without scoring.
Blinn recovered a pair of Navarro fumbles and sophomore defensive back Ron Knowles picked off a pass.
The win improved Kilgore to 7-1 on the season and 4-1 in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, while the Buccaneers fell to 4-3 on the season and 2-3 in conference. To qualify for the conference playoffs, Blinn will have to win its Homecoming game against Navarro College on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Cub Stadium.
Prior to the game, the Blinn Alumni &Friends Association will hold its annual meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Brenham campus Student Center, followed by the Alumni Lettermen’s Association annual meeting at 10:30. At 11:30, the Hall of Honor luncheon will be held in the banquet room.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 29 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
