Water Valley Looks for Revenge Against No. 1 Rankin

WATER VALLEY, TX — The No. 1-ranked Rankin Red Devils return to Tom Green County to take on the Water Valley Wildcats on Friday for the third time in two seasons.

Last October, Rankin made the trip to Water Valley and took one on the chin, getting 45’d by the Wildcats, 68-20. After that loss, the Red Devils would not lose again until the state championship game against Gordon. 

During that eight-game winning streak, they played Water Valley a second time last season and upset the Wildcats, 54-46, at San Angelo Stadium in the state semifinals.

It’s safe to say that both teams have placed a particular importance on this game — Rankin to prove without a shadow of a doubt it deserves its No. 1 ranking, and Water Valley will definitely want revenge as it could have been the Wildcats playing for the state championship last season.

Water Valley is a much different team on paper, returning only one starter from last season. That player is Branson Lacy, who was named San Angelo LIVE!'s All-Cover 1 Newcomer of the Year in 2025. Lacy put up over 2,000 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns, in addition to 115 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, three fumble recoveries and a touchdown on defense.

For Water Valley head coach Trey Sisco, it's business as usual.

“We’re pretty familiar with each other," Sisco said. "It’s going to be who makes less mistakes, who prepares better, all those things. ... It’s just how we execute.”

Back when Sisco was with Sterling City and they won state in 2020, Rankin’s current offensive coordinator, Tye Keith, was with Sisco and the Eagles. So yes, they know each other very well.

“He’s the same thing at Rankin. Plus, I know them very well just as friends, and it’s always interesting when you play games like that,” said Sisco.

Even though Water Valley only returned one starter on paper, the Wildcats have played nearly an entire extra year of football over the past two season with their back-to-back state semifinal runs. Rankin is getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so. With their four returning starters on both sides of the ball, they should be the favorite. That doesn’t shake Sisco or this Wildcat team.

“Basically, we do what we do,” said Sisco. “I've had the same kids in the same system for three years now. They’ve played an extra year nearly the last two years, and our JV was 9-1. ...

"It should be a pretty decent matchup if we don’t make too many mistakes or turn the ball over. We’re just going to do what we do and see what we can fix from week to week. There’s nothing specific to pick out that we can take advantage of really.”

Rankin does have some talented returning players, but Sisco is impressed with his team after winning their first game against Garden City, 63-14, and the summer they’ve had. Aside from Branson Lacy, Sisco has put together another team he’s proud of.

“They look good,” Sisco said. “Cutter Lange and Cole Baker both had pretty dang good games. They contributed on both sides of the ball. Bronson Holland had a great game offensive line-wise and blocking. Hudson Wiese, another Wiese boy, played a good game on defense and filled his brother’s shoes pretty well. Lance Doss had a heck of a game, which I expected from him after he had a good summer. He won’t come off the field a whole lot.”

The Red Devils are led by Matthew Ramos, who had 1,026 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. Ramos is joined by Kash Cuellar, Kayin Hanna, Logan White and Hunter Amthor, who all caused problems for Water Valley when the two teams met in the playoffs last season.

The two teams will meet at 7 p.m. Friday in Water Valley.