CASSOPOLIS — Even though the last meeting between Cassopolis and White Pigeon was just over a month ago, some things have changed for the Rangers.

One thing that has not is Cassopolis leaving the matchup with a victory. The Rangers routed White Pigeon 41-0 for the second time this season, although this Friday night was different.

That is the reason Cassopolis head coach Dan Purlee emphasized to his team to never overlook an opponent.

“We knew they were tough,” Purlee said of the team’s mindset entering the game. “We emphasized to the team that the first time we played them it was only a 14-0 game at half time.”

Although the Rangers still scored 27 points in the third quarter, Purlee felt like the Chiefs dominated the quarter in the Oct.5 matchup.

“You got to emphasize when you beat a team in a lopsided game, you got to keep your head level. We just emphasized it was a close game at half and we need to be ready to play. They are going to bring their best effort,” he said.

One thing that was a clear change was the absence of Mason Polomcak and Owen Gardner out on the field.

Polomcak led the team in rushing yards and scored three touchdowns in the Ranger’s first meeting with White Pigeon. Gardner rushed 114 yards that same game and added a touchdown. Polomcak is out indefinitely, while Gardner sat out due to injury, but is expected to be back when the Rangers play Reading.

Running the ball for the Rangers on Friday night was senior J.J. Hart, who scored on five-yard and 48-yard touchdown runs in the first half. His brother Ahsan Hart, a junior on the team, added a six-yard touchdown run and 32-yard touchdown return of a White Pigeon fumble in the second quarter.

Sophomore Reggie Hart was the last Ranger, and last of the three Hart brothers, to score a 30-yard touchdown run with a 1:38 remaining in the game, after weaving through the Chiefs’ defense and avoiding tackles left and right.

“It feels amazing,” Hart said to score have alongside his brothers. “It’s a blessing from God and a once in a lifetime chance that you could get. It feels special.”

Purlee thought his team set the tone early on and the offense was executed well, while the defense stayed stiff.

Sophomore Daishean Jamison was the first Ranger to score in the game off a 15-yard run to the left side of the field.

Offensively, the third quarter was a slow start for the Rangers, as they had two fumbles, but recovered both. Senior quarterback Cerious Wilson also threw an interception.

“I told them my biggest disappoint was how we executed on offense in the second half,” Purlee said. “You know it was sloppy. Turnovers. We just got to be sharp and we got to clean that stuff up.”

Cassopolis will travel to Reading, the defending Division 8 state champions, for a district title. Reading (9-1) is come off a 38-0 victory over Mendon. The Rangers defeated Mendon 28-0 in its Southwest 10 Conference contest on Sept. 6.

Purlee said Reading will be the biggest, most physical team the Rangers have seen all year.

“We are going to have to work on stalemating them upfront,” Purlee said. “Trying to win the line of scrimmage, obviously is going to be important. We will try to improve our execution offensively and kind of stick to what we do and be better at it.”

No day or time has been announced for that contest.

According to Cassopolis AD Todd Pawielski, the belief is it will be Friday night.