Facing off against the Monahans Loboes in the 4A-2 Bi-District round, the Levelland Lobos fell short of extending their season as they lost, 27-15, Thursday in Andrews.
Wrapping up a 2-9 season, the Lobos have battled throughout several games this season falling short at the very end.
Outnumbered on the field and in the stands, the district champion Loboes appeared to have the momentum and odds in their favor.
Typically, four seeds such as Levelland playing a one seed in Monahans is a recipe for a blowout, yet that was not the case this time.
Trailing 20-15 at one point with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Levelland sideline and stands brimmed with excitement and energy.
After, going toe-to-toe with district opponents such as West Plains and Seminole who dominated the Lobos convincingly, it quickly became apparent the Lobos had a fighting chance against Monahans who only led 13-8 going into halftime.
Offensively, the Levelland offense was carried by its seniors and the run game.
Started running back and senior, Marco Guillen had been the Lobos workhorse this season and that was no different against Monahans.
Guillen would take the handoff 14 times for 56 yards while quarterback Konner Alexander utilized his running ability with 11 carries and 61 yards.
Alexander’s running ability kept the Lobos in the fight when it felt like offensive drives were beginning to stall throughout the game.
Breaking arm tackles and looking to make contact with defenders while galloping down the field, it certainly energized the Levelland sideline while putting pressure on Monahans defenders.
Additionally, Alexander taking the ball down field with his legs allowed for less focus on the Levelland running backs.
Starting at linebacker, senior Ladarian Jordan was able to get a few carries for Levelland. Jordan had five carries for 26 yards while Levelland would finish the night with 143 yards total rushing.
The Levelland passing game has been the question mark through the entire season, but Alexander and the Lobo receiving core had glimpses of success against the Loboes.
Alexander finished the game 14-20 with 132 yards without a turnover or sack. One of the more successful outings through the air, senior Zameron LeCroy had six catches for 63 yards while senior Wyatt Baccus finished the game with two catches for 27 yards.
Junior Mark Buxkemper had two catches for 15 yards, while running backs Jordan had two catches for five yards and Guillen had two catches for 19 yards.
While the Lobos were able to find success offensively, they collectively struggled to get over the final hurdle which has been the case for many of their close losses this season.
Thanks to the Levelland defense, their late defensive stands allowed for the Lobos to swing the momentum in their favor.
A forced field goal that was missed by Monahans gave life back to the Levelland sideline as they trailed 20-15 to end the third quarter.
However, the Lobo offense stalled on the next possession forcing a Levelland defense that had been able to bend but no break to do it one more time.
The Levelland defense had been the dominant side of the ball for the Lobos throughout the season. Playing so many close games on their schedule, the defense either mustered the strength for one final stop or came up short.
A run heavy offense, Monahans marched down the field scoring the deciding touchdown with three minutes and change left.
Trailing 27-15, the Levelland sideline continued to stay vocal in support of their teammates.
Alexander and the Lobo offense moved the ball down to the Monahans 45-yard-line, but that is where the drive would stall.
Failing to connect with LeCroy on a third-and-10 at the three-yard-line on a dropped passing attempt, Alexander would take one final shot at the endzone that was slightly out of the reach of senior Mathew Bautista at the goal line.
A turnover on downs, the clock expired on a Monahans possession.
The Lobos finished the game with one turnover and led both squads in penalties with 10 for 100 yards while Monahans had eight for 70 yards.
Wrapping up the season, Guillen was able to break 1,000 allpurpose years during his senior season.
For Head Coach Lyle Leong, he and his staff will be saying goodbye to a senior class that he feels set an example for the underclassmen moving up.
“The toughest part is saying goodbye to these seniors,” explained Leong. “These kids believed in us when we won one game last year, they stuck with us and continued to believe. They are the reason we have a foundation set for the future and I can’t thank them enough.”
After addressing his team in the final huddle for the season, Coach Leong made his rounds consoling and hugging his seniors as their high school football career came to an end.
“It hurts to see these kids cry, but I am super proud with the way they have fought not only tonight but through this entire season,” said Leong.
“Things may have not gone our way at the end, but they were able to get here and get to experience the playoffs which hasn’t been done in a while. It’s sad it ends here, but these kids and senior will always mean the world to me.”
Levelland seniors graduating this year include: LeCroy, Jordan, Alexander, Isaac Avendano, Bautista, Mimo Bustillos, Baccuss, Raul Lopez, Aiden Herrera, Guillen, Ethan Campos, Xavier Espinoza, Dylan Hernandez, Robert Pena and Jeremiah Corrales.