Lobo football wrapped up their first regular season at the 4A level with an overall record of 7-3. They finished ranked second in the conference power point standings and enter the 4A state bracket as the No. 2 overall seed.
Snowflake’s final regular season game was a 35-6 home-field win over Seton Catholic on Friday night. Playing on a cold night the Lobo’s defense forced a quick three and out, then turned things over to their offense. It only took moments for that offense to put points on the board when Lance Christensen scored on an eight-yard run. Sam Brown’s point-after kick put Snowflake on top 7-0 just three minutes into the game.
Another quick defensive stop led to another Lobo score when Brennan Bryant found Jett McCray for a short scoring strike extending the Lobo lead to 14-0. The third defensive stop in the quarter resulted in Snowflake’s third score of the opening frame when Bryant found Payton Papa for a 29-yard score. Brown’s kick made the score 21-0.
Seton Catholic got on the board at the end of the period on an 81-yard scoring pass. Their try for two failed leaving the Lobos on top 21-6 heading into the second quarter.
Snowflake’s fourth offensive possession resulted in their fourth touchdown when Matthew Brimhall rumbled in from five yards out making the score 28-6.
Braden LaDuke’s interception stopped a Seton Catholic drive late in the second period. Just before the half Bryant found McCray for a 53-yard catch and run extending the Lobo lead to 35-6 at the half. The two teams traded punts and turnovers in the second half, but neither team was able to put points on the board.
Bryant completed 13 of 23 passes for 206 yards with three touchdowns and one pick. McCray had two receptions for 60 yards. Papa had 2 for 43; Ezra Baum, 3 for 39; Easton Butler, 2 for 21; Tyler Clare, 2 for 19; Karter Raban, 1 for 18; and Slade Fish had one six-yard reception.
On the ground, the Lobos were led by McCray who had 65 yards on eight attempts. Karter Raban rushed seven times for 53 yards. Christensen gained 17 yards; Tyler Parry, 16; Brennan Bryant, 10; and Ryker Brimhall, Jo Jo Lerma, and Matthew Brimhall each had five yards.
Snowflake will now open the 4A state playoffs on their home field on Friday night when they host the 15th-seeded Arcadia Titans. The Titans are 6-4 on the season. They have three common opponents with the Lobos this year: Ben Franklin, Apache Junction and Seton Catholic. Both teams went 2-1 vs those three opponents, with each losing badly to Apache Junction. Snowflake still appears to be the better team, plus playing in cold temperatures on their home field should make the difference. Snowflake is expected to advance in the bracket where they will face the winner between No. 7 Apache Junction and No. 10 Prescott on Nov. 25.
