N. Waddell
The Lobo football coaches knew that the Lobo football team would be in for a tough time in their season opening game against a big and fast team from Ft. Thomas High School. The coaches prepared the team well but they were not prepared for the outcome of the game. The Lobo team dominated in every expect of the game except for the scoreboard that read Ft. Thomas 22, Hayden 14.
The Lobos took the opening kick-off and were driving towards the goal line only to be stopped bythe officials yellow flag, something that would happen often, and the interception of Roman Padilla first varsity pass.
The Apaches did not hold the football for long turning the ball over when Robert Sandoval and Manny Armenta tackled the Apache runner for negative yards on a fourth down play.
The Apaches came back quick! The Apache quarterback went back to pass, found an open receiver hitting him for a 49 yard scoring pass and than hit his receiver for the two points to tie the game at 8 to 8 with 1:13 left in the first quarter. Hayden took the kick-off, started a drive that again would be stopped by the officials yellow flag forcing a Lobo punt to end the first quarter.
The Lobo defense again held the Apache offense to three plays and a punt. The Lobos took over and drove down the field getting a first and goal just inside the ten yard line on a couple of pass completions from Padilla to Adrian Ochoa.
With the football just inside the fifteen yard line due to a penalty, Padilla pitched the ball to Aaron Lagunas racing down the sideline for the fifteen yard score. Again, another fumble on the snap caused the Lobos the two points giving them a 14 to 8 lead with 7:07 remaining in the first half.
The Lobos took over and were driving down field when time ran out on the first half clock with the Lobos holding a 14 to 8 lead.
The third quarter had the Lobos kicking off to the Apaches and again the Lobo defense came up strong stopping the Apaches on three plays forcing a punt. The Lobos took the football driving down to the forty-yard line and on the next play Aaron Lagunas broke free for a touchdown only to have it called back on an illegal hit penalty.
The fourth quarter started with the Lobos unable to move the football when hit with two penalty flags forcing a punt. Again, bad luck hit the Lobos! The snap to the punter was low in the ground and the Apaches tackled the punter before he could get a handle on the loose football at the 37-yard line.
The Lobo football team will have their work cut out for them this coming Friday when they take the long trip to Duncan to take on the Wildkats and their tough running back who recorded five touchdowns in their game against Valley Union. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.
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