Snowflake’s hope for back-to-back state championships ended on Friday night at Arizona State University Stadium with a 28-14 loss to ALA Gilbert North in the 4A state championship game.
The Lobos got the ball first but saw their opening possession end with a fourth down punt. Snowflake’s defense did its job forcing the Eagles to punt on their opening drive.
Snowflake’s second possession ended with a Jett McCray six-yard score putting the second-seeded Lobos on top 7-0 with Sam Brown’s point after kick.
The number one seed took advantage of a failed onside kick attempt by the Lobos, then capped a 10-play scoring drive with a 17-yard scoring toss tying the score at 7-7 midway through the opening quarter.
ALA Gilbert took the lead for good with just 13 seconds left in the first half on an eight-yard connection pushing the lead to 14-7 at the half.
With four minutes left in the third quarter, the Eagles extended their lead to 20-7 with another short touchdown pass.
Midway through the final quarter, the Eagles found the endzone again on a short scoring run pushing the lead to 28-7 with the two-point conversion.
Snowflake’s final points of the season came on a four-yard run by JJ Lerma. Sam Brown booted the PAT making the score 28-14.
Neither team was able to put any more points on the board leaving Snowflake as the 4A state runner-up after back-to-back seasons as the 3A state champion.
Snowflake’s passing game was held in check for most of the game, finishing with just 50 yards through the air. Their rushing attack did compile 183 yards on the ground led by Lerma’s 75 yards on nine attempts. Easton Butler picked up 48 on seven rushes. McCray carried 10 times for 36 yards.
The Lobos finished the season with an overall record of 10-4.
