The Lobos returned from their long trip to Tucson with a tidy 21-7 football win over Pusch Ridge on Friday night. In a battle of 3A East vs. 3A South teams, Snowflake had a battle on their hands in the first half going to the locker room tied at 7-7 with the Lions. In the second half, Snowflake’s defense held Pusch Ridge without a score, while their offense found the endzone twice to secure the 14-point win.
The long bus ride may have had an impact on Snowflake as they did not score until midway through the second period when Brigden Turley scored from seven yards out. Samuel Crockett’s point after boot gave the Lobos the 7-0 lead.
Just two minutes later the Lions tied the game on a short rushing score and successful point after kick, sending the teams to the break tied at 7-7.
Just two minutes into the third period, Snowflake scored on a big play when Ethan Ramage connected with Sam Ruehle for a 60-yard catch and run for six points. Crockett’s point after made the score 14-7.
In the final minute of the game Turley picked up his second score of the night, this one coming from a yard out making the score 21-7 with the point after kick.
Snowflake’s defense held Pusch Ridge to just seven yards of passing offense on one completion. They also kept the Lions ground game in check limiting them to 170 total yards.
Snowflake’s Ramage was good on 15 of 23 attempts for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Ruehle was the leading receiver for the Lobos, picking up 82 yards on three catches with one touchdown. David Brimhall caught three for 18; Traegon Standerfer, 2 for 18; Luke Patterson, 3 for 15; Turley, 3 for 15; and Cody Fox had one catch for 11 yards.
On the ground the Lobos were led by Turley with 42 yards and a score on 13 rushes. Brimhall picked up 41 on 5 attempts. Fox carried six times gaining 15 and Terren Green had 3 runs for 13 total yards.
Brimhall led a strong defensive effort with 10 tackles. Green had nine; Brydon Hatch, eight; Patterson, seven; Jesse Sparks had seven including one sack; and Standerfer finished with five stops.
Jake Christensen was credited with two interceptions, which he returned for a combined 75 yards.
With the win the Lobos have now won three in a row and improved their overall season mark to 4-1. They will have a week off this week and will return to action on Sept. 28 when they open East Region play at Blue Ridge against the Yellowjackets.
