The Levelland Lobos earned a 28-21 win on senior night, improving to 2-7 overall and 1-2 in district play as the regular season nears the end. Dealing with a lack of depth and injuries throughout the back end of the schedule, Lobo Head Coach Lyle Leong was able to have the majority of his team suited out for kickoff against the Bulldogs minus a few pieces.
“It is great to be a part of an experience where the kids work so hard and they reap the reward of their efforts,” said Leong. “The same goes for this coaching staff. They work tirelessly to put a plan in place for the team and the kids believe in this staff to execute the plan.” The Bulldogs went to work quickly scoring the first touchdown of the game with four minutes and change remaining in the first quarter. Their offensive drive lasted nine plays for 85-- yards. Exchanging possessions throughout the rest of the first quarter and the majority of the second, the Lobo defense stayed strong continuing to be the key side of the ball for the team. The Levelland special teams showed their talents as they forced a fumble on a Borger punt return allowing the Lobos to recover the ball deep in Borger territory at the 16-yard-line. After a string of run plays, Levelland took the snap and powered through the Borger defense for two-yards and the touchdown. Marco Guillen kicked the field goal to tie the game with a little over five minutes remaining in the first half.
Keeping momentum on their side, the Lobo defense went to work forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back into starting quarterback Konner Alexander’s hands.
Putting together a 67-yard offensive drive, Alexander utilized his legs and kept the ball moving down field.
The Lobos went into halftime with a 14-7 lead.
After forcing Borger’s opening drive of the half to stall, the Lobos continued to find success offensively.
Guillen found open grass for a 44-yard run to the end-zone, but missed the kick that was pushed to the left.
The Lobos took a convincing 20-7 lead with 10 minutes in the third quarter.
With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Borger offense put points on the board, trailing, 20-14.
As Levelland continued to work on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs continuously stayed in the fight.
Guillen would provide the final points for the Lobos after a 28-yard-drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
Making up for the missed PAT, Guillen ran the ball into the end-zone to get the Lobos to 28to-21 with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
The Levelland defense closed out the remainder of the game with a strong performance as they held off the Bulldogs from any momentum they had gained in the early fourth quarter.
The Lobo offense would close out the game with the last possession as Alexander took the remaining snaps and took a knee.
The Lobos had 174 yards rushing. Guillen got17 touches for 114 yards and two touchdowns, while Alexander had 53 yards running, a score and Johnson had one touchdown.
Through the air, Alexander went 8-13 for 88 yards.
Mark Buxkemper had three catches for 45 yards, while Isiah Avendano caught three passes for 45 yards.
The Lobos had 262 yards of offense.
Battling penalties throughout the season, Levelland had seven penalties for 75 yards against Borger.
“On senior night these kids get to have a memory of winning their last home game and I am just blessed to be a part of this team,” said Leong. “I am surrounded by a bunch of great kids and a great coaching staff. It makes my job easier with the type of culture and belief we have in each other.”
The Lobos will be traveling to Seminole to take on the Indians Friday evening.
Kickoff will begin at 7 p.m. at WigwamStadium.
The Indians are 2-0 in district play, as they are coming off of their bye week.
For Levelland, this will be their last game of the regular season and will close out district play, as they have their bye week after their battle with the Indians.