The Lobos certainly didn’t get caught looking ahead to this week’s opponent when they pounded Payson 49-7 on Friday night to improve their season mark to 8-0.

Snowflake started slowly, trailing 7-6 after the first period, but came to life in the second, putting up 24 unanswered points to lead 30-7 at the half.

The Lobo defense, which has been outstanding all season, pitched a shutout over the final three periods, resulting in the big win that sets up this week’s huge game against the also unbeaten Show Low Cougars.

Snowflake had tremendous balance on offense, passing for 214 yards and rushing for another 189.

Tyler Claridge completed 12 of 17 passes for 206 yards with four touchdown throws and no interceptions. Alex Patterson completed his only pass attempt for eight yards.

Keegan Bjornn had four receptions for 87 yards. JT Tate also caught four balls, good for 61 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Zach Solomon picked up 46 yards on three catches, scoring once. Tanner Willis had once catch for 12 yards for a touchdown, and Patterson had one eight yard reception.

Solomon also gained 89 yards on 15 runs. Luke Craun picked up an additional 84 yards on just five rushes, finding the end zone on two of those runs. Patterson gained nine yards; Willis, six yards; Trent Hatch, five yards; and Richard Baird, one yard on two carries.

This week is finally the week mountain fans get to see the biggest game of the year so far. Snowflake travels to Show Low, where one of the two teams will suffer its first loss of the season. Both are highly ranked and both are threats for deep playoff runs, although, in Division IV it seems any one of the top eight teams have a shot at the title. Heading into last week’s games the Cougars were ranked second and the Lobos, fourth. Both are obviously headed to the playoffs, and their fans just hope they don’t end up in the same half of the state bracket.

On paper Snowflake appears to have the better defense, having given up just 40 points all year compared to Show Low, which has allowed 100 points against similar opponents. Conversely, the Cougars have scored 83 more points than have the Lobos through eight games. In big games, it’s usually the defense that wins these types of matchups, at least Lobo fans can hope that will be the case.