Levelland was able to stay within striking distance during the first half, but a big second half from Idalou helped the Wildcats come away with the win.
The Lobos went into halftime trailing 26-22 after some back-andforth action throughout the first half. After the break, Idalou took control of the game by scoring 20 unanswered points in the third quarter.
Idalou got the scoring started with an 80-yard rushing touchdown, however, were unable to convert the two-point conversion.
A Noah Martin run and Bryson Golightly catch would push the ball downfield for the Lobos, where Ethan Salazar capped off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. After the PAT, Levelland ended the first quarter up 7-6.
The Wildcats wasted no time scoring in the second quarter, throwing for a 59-yard touchdown pass twelve seconds in. A bad snap on the extra point would lead to Matthew Guillen, junior running back/linebacker, scooping up the loose ball and returning it for two points.
After getting the ball back, Salazar was able to connect with Bentley Sepulbeda for a 79-yard bomb up the seam. The PAT was missed; however, the Lobos were in the lead 15-12.
On the following drive, Idalou was able to string together multiple runs and eventually punch it into the end zone at the 7:43 mark of the second quarter.
Levelland would stop on fourth down and short the following drive, which led to a 30yard rushing touchdown for Idalou.
The Lobos were staring at another quick possession, but Salazar would find Bryson Golightly 30 yards down the field for a completion.
On fourth down and 15, Salazar rolled out of the pocket to find Sepulbeda for a 20-yard completion, which was followed by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tobias Gavina, senior wide receiver/defensive back.
That cut the deficit to 26-22 with 1:02 remaining in the first half.
The Lobos’ defense was able to keep the score within four points to end the half, stopping Idalou around midfield when Jake Potter slammed down the ball carrier on fourth down to end the half.
Any momentum Levelland carried into halftime quickly disappeared in the third quarter, as Idalou scored 20 unanswered points to stretch a 26-22 lead into a 46-22 advantage.
Levelland struggled to respond as Idalou continued their pressure on Salazar. The Lobos were forced to punt on their first two full possessions of the third quarter before a fake punt attempt was stopped, giving Idalou another short field to work with. The Wildcats were able to add another touchdown to their lead on the first play following a Levelland turnover on downs early in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 52-22 after a doinked PAT.
The Lobos continued to fight and drive downfield. Potter broke free for a 27-yard run and was brought down just short of the end zone, at the one 1-yard line. Salazar would punch it in for a touchdown, but the two point conversion attempt was no good. It looked like Idalou was cruising down the field yet again when Gavina stripped the ball right out of the runner’s hands and took it all the way back for a touchdown. Potter would follow that up by running in the two-point conversion, which closed the deficit to 52-36 with 3:12 remaining in the game.
Any hopes for a late game comeback were quickly erased. Idalou recovered Levelland’s onside kick before running another one into the end zone.
Noah Martin and Jake Potter would end the games with some solid runs, but Levelland ultimately ended up falling short 59-36.
This loss brings the Lobos to 2-1 on the season. They will travel to Mustang Bowl Stadium to play the Sweetwater Mustangs Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.