After dropping their last two games on the road, Levelland was able to bounce back with an explosive performance, beating Littlefield 6436.
Ethan Salazar led the way for the Lobos with three passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, and no turnovers.
Levelland only needed 16 seconds to get on the scoreboard as Bentley Sepulbeda returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, giving the Lobos an early 7-0 lead. Littlefield was able to answer with a strong opening drive that ended with a fourth-down touchdown pass at the goal line to tie the game. The Wildcats then recovered the kickoff, but Levelland’s defense was able to prevent any further damage, forcing them to punt.
Levelland took the lead with a Tobias Gavina touchdown catch, but Littlefield was able to answer on the following drive with a rushing touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with 3:21 remaining in the first quarter.
Just over a minute later, Salazar was able to connect on a deep ball to Bryson Golightly, which sent the Lobos into the second quarter up 21-14.
The Lobos gave Littlefield a good opportunity to tie the game up early in the second quarter after going for it on fourth down on their own side of the field, but Levelland’s defense held up. Pressure on the quarterback forced an incompletion on third down, and the Wildcats would end up walking away with no points.
Levelland was able to turn defense into offense when Jake Potter broke loose for a big rushing touchdown, extending the Lobos’ lead to 28-14 with 9:00 remaining in the second quarter.
Littlefield cut the deficit to 28-17 after a field goal late in the second quarter, but Levelland only needed 12 seconds to respond. Salazar was able to push it downfield to Golightly, who caught his second deep touchdown of the half, making the lead 35-17.
The Wildcats kept fighting, using a big quarterback scramble to flip the field, followed by a 13-yard quarterback draw for a touchdown. The score cut Levelland’s advantage to 35-24 going into halftime.
Littlefield carried that momentum into the second half, opening the third quarter with a touchdown drive. The Wildcats opted to go for a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful, leaving Levelland up 35-30. After Levelland was unable to answer on the following drive and forced to punt, the Lobo defense provided a spark. Gavina intercepted a Littlefield pass, and Levelland got possession at the opponent’s 25-yard line.
Salazar didn’t let the turnover go to waste, keeping the ball and finding the end zone to give Levelland a 42-30 lead with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter.
The Levelland defense continued to swing momentum on the next possession. After the Wildcats began moving the ball downfield, Joel Monge, senior wide receiver/ defensive back, intercepted a deep pass to give the Lobos their second takeaway in as many drives.
After another Levelland defensive stop, Potter broke free for another long run that put the Lobos inside of the 10-yard line. Salazar capped off the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 49-30 with 10:18 remaining in the game.
Littlefield cut the deficit to 49-36 on another quarterback run, but Levelland once again had an immediate response. Just 54 seconds later, Noah Martin broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown run to extend the Lobos’ lead to 56-36. Littlefield made one final push, but Sepulbeda came away with Levelland’s third interception on the night, which ended any scoring threat from the Wildcats.
Salazar put the final touches on the victory, rushing for a 65-yard touchdown for his sixth total touchdown on the night. Levelland converted the two-point conversion, making the final score 64-36.
This win brings Levelland to 3-2 on the season. They will finally be back at home to play the Lake View Chiefs Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.