Ryan High bounced back in commanding fashion on Friday night, defeating the Richland Royals 44-19 at home. Coming off a tough road loss the previous week, the Raiders delivered a resounding performance, marking their fourth blowout win of the season. The victory not only pushed Ryan’s record to 5-1 but also extended their home winning streak to six games, dating back to last season.
Ryan’s defense played a pivotal role, sacking Richland quarterback Drew Kates five times. Leading the charge was Errol West, who recorded three of those sacks, while the defense as a whole held the Royals to just 267 yards and two touchdowns. Richland, despite solid individual performances, struggled to overcome the defensive pressure. Xavier Johnson stood out for the Royals, with 102 receiving yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards.
This victory was especially meaningful for the Raiders, who were playing just days after the tragic passing of their assistant coach and defensive coordinator, Aaron De La Torre. De La Torre, a beloved figure in his seventh season with the team, was honored throughout the night. Players wore towels featuring the “Sons of Ryan” logo, a tribute to a design often worn by De La Torre, while fans held up matching towels and banners in his memory.
Beyond the emotional context, Ryan was also tasked with bouncing back from their recent loss to No. 1-ranked Aledo. The Raiders did so in dominant fashion, limiting Richland to a pair of short field goals in the red zone and even scoring a defensive touchdown off an interception. Senior defensive back Mun’terrius Ellis picked off a pass and returned it 25 yards for a score, helping Ryan take control of the game.
Offensively, Ryan was equally impressive, racking up 544 total yards. Junior quarterback Quin Henigan completed 14 of 17 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown. His first pass of the game was a 61-yard bubble screen to senior wide receiver Lorenzo Hill, who sprinted to the end zone just 41 seconds into the game, setting the tone for Ryan’s offensive dominance. Hill finished with 69 receiving yards, while junior tight end Jose Melendez added 120 yards on three catches.
Senior running back Nemo Warmate was a force on the ground, rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. His 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter extended Ryan’s lead, and he added two more scores in the second half to help seal the game. Kicker Daniel Rodriguez chipped in with field goals from 21 and 24 yards to further pad the lead.
Richland’s offense, led by Kates and Johnson, found some momentum in the third quarter when Hunter Moreno scored on a 2-yard run. However, the Raiders blocked the ensuing extra point, preventing any major shift in momentum. The Royals added a late field goal, but it wasn’t enough to mount a serious comeback.
Ryan’s win snapped Richland’s nine-game away win streak and solidified the Raiders’ standing in the district. The Raiders will need to regroup and recover from a few injuries sustained during the game. Senior defensive back Trae Williams, an Air Force commit, exited in the first quarter with an injury and did not return, while Hill, a UTEP commit, was carted off in the third quarter after a sideline injury. These injuries are a concern as Ryan prepares for a crucial matchup against unbeaten Azle (6-0) next week.
Ryan will be looking to build on this victory and stay competitive in district play while navigating the physical challenges of the remaining regular season.
