Falcons’ Last Second Field Goal Marks The End Of Lobos’ Season

By Greg Perkins
   In big contests, the kicking game can be crucial, and in the Lobos’ quarterfinal loss to Fountain Hills, the kicking game was huge in what was a well played game by both teams. A blocked kick, a missed kick and a game winning kick as time expired ended the Lobos’ season on the wrong side of a 23-20 score.
   Snowflake took the first lead of the game midway through the first period when Shawn Walker hooked up with Jake Shumway on a 49-yard catch and run down the sidelines. Robbie Martindale booted the point after, putting the Lobos on top 7-0.
   That score held until there was just 4:41 left in the second period when the Falcons’ Bryce Scannell scored on a seven-yard end around run. Ty Blunt’s point after kick knotted the game at 7-7.
   Snowflake took over and moved the ball well, then retook the lead with less than a minute left in the half on a 12-yard seam pass from Walker to Martindale. The extra point, also by Martindale, gave Snowflake a 14-7 halftime lead.
   In the third period, Fountain Hills quarterback Conner Brinton scored on a 23-yard run and Blunt’s kick evened the game at 14-14.
   Late in the period Martindale scored on a three-yard run, putting the Lobos back on top 20-14. Martindale’s extra point try was blocked by Fountain Hills, leaving the lead at six, which proved to be critical later in the game.
   Leading by six points with four minutes left in the game the Lobos were once again driving when Walker’s pass attempt was tipped, then intercepted by Conner Brinton, who then returned it to the Lobos’ 16 yard line. Just under two minutes remained when running back Brad Hilgeman scored on a two-yard plunge tying the game at 20-20. Blunt, the Falcons’ sophomore kicker, missed the extra point, leaving the game knotted.
   The Lobos took over and soon faced a fourth and three situation at their own 42 yard line with 37 seconds left. Trying to pick up a big first down, Walker’s pass attempt to Martindale fell incomplete, and they turned the ball over to Fountain Hills with 31 seconds left in the game. The Falcons picked up 18 yards on a completion to their tight end, which moved the ball to Snowflake’s 19 yard line. With just two seconds left on the clock, Blunt more than made up for the missed extra point, connecting on a 35-yard field goal as time expired, advancing his team to the semifinal round and ending the Lobos season.
Snowflake        7 7 6 0 20
Fountain Hills 0 7 7 9   23
    “This was a great game. It was exciting, but we just came out on the wrong end of the score. Overall, we had a great season. I was proud of our guys; they did a good job of picking up a new offense and defense. We executed very well all season long. I felt we made big strides in the program, which really bodes well for the future,” said Coach Adam Larsen. “I expect everyone to improve next year, players and coaches alike. We were excited for this year and we will be excited for next year, as well, with some talented players returning.”
    The Lobos ended the season with an overall record of 9-3. Two of their three losses came against teams that are playing in the semifinal round of the state playoffs, Blue Ridge and Fountain Hills. The third loss was against Round Valley, which was eliminated on Saturday with a big loss to Blue Ridge.