Winning football games is important to Cassopolis senior Isaiah Crider.

Crider showed how much he cares about team success after the Rangers fell to Brandywine, 27-26, Friday night.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder was visibly upset after the defeat, blaming himself for the loss.

Several minutes after the game, Crider walked out of the Rangers’ locker room and still was having a hard time coping with his team’s third loss in five games.

“I just feel like we didn’t execute like we should have,” said Crider. “Brandywine was just the better team tonight.”

Crider was outstanding in defeat. He rushed for 185 yards on 25 carries with three touchdowns.

But two plays that didn’t produce points haunted Crider. With his team trailing, 27-26, with 4:45 left in the game, Crider fumbled a pitch on a two-point conversion run causing Crider to lose yardage.

“I should have caught the ball,” Crider said.

With 1:20 left in the game, Crider rushed for only a yard on 4th-and-4 at Brandywine’s 35-yard line, sealing the win for the Bobcats.

“Just didn’t get enough yards,” Crider said.

If he had those two key plays to do over, Cassopolis football coach Dan Purlee wouldn’t have changed a thing.

“He’s our go-to guy,” said Purlee about Crider. “You’ve got to put the ball into the hands of your best offensive threat in situations like that. It worked a lot (against Brandywine). It just didn’t work those times.”

Crider has shredded opponents in his first year of starting at running back. As a junior, he just started at defensive back.

The Ranger football standout has rushed for 813 yards on 75 carries with 10 touchdowns.

Mention those impressive numbers to Crider and he bristles.

“I’m not worried about that,” he said. “I’m just worried about my team and winning.”

Purlee isn’t surprised that Crider has compiled a lot of yardage on the ground.

“He didn’t get many carries last year,” the Rangers coach said. “We had a lot of senior talent back there so he didn’t get many touches, but we knew he could be pretty good. He’s gotten his chance this year and done a great job.

“He’s a tough kid and he loves being a part of this team. He shows great leadership by his work ethic.”

“Football is my life,” Crider said.

Crider doesn’t want his senior season on the football team to end without a playoff berth.

“We have to keep our heads up and get ready for White Pigeon (on Oct. 3) and get that W and not dwell too much about this loss (against Brandywine),” Crider said.