The Lobos entered the 4A state playoffs as the No. 14 overall seed putting them on the road in the opening round. They traveled on Friday night to take on third seeded Micah Mountain. The Thunderbolts were 10-1 in the regular season, finishing second in their region. Snowflake dropped their first two games of the season, then won seven of their final eight regular season games earning them the 14th overall seed.
Snowflake put the first points on the board, with a 40-yard connection between Brennan Bryant and Payton Papa. Sam Brown’s point-after kick put the lower-seeded Lobos on top 7-0. That lead held up for about 15 seconds before Mica Mountain returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards tying the game at 7-7 with their PAT.
The Thunderbolts took the lead late in the period on a short scoring run, making the score 14-7. They proved worthy of their high seed early in the second with another scoring run extending their lead to 21-7.
Snowflake trimmed the lead with four minutes left in the half on a short two-yard plunge by Kanton Turley, closing the gap to 21-14. Jett McCray broke free for a 46-yard score, tying the game at 21-21 with Brown’s PAT late in the half.
Micah Mountain moved into position in the closing moments, taking the lead with a 34-yard field goal just before the half ended sending the teams to the break with the Lobos trailing 24-21.
Snowflake’s defense held the Thunderbolts on the opening second-half possession and their offense marched down the field before settling for a tying field goal attempt that was no good with six minutes left in the third. Two plays later Micah Mountain had their second long scoring play of the game with a 72-yard rushing touchdown extending the lead to 10 points at 31-21.
With six minutes left in the contest, Brown’s 35-yard field goal pulled the Lobos within a touchdown at 31-24. The Lobos made a valiant effort on their final drive of the night. They moved the ball into the red zone, and after having a touchdown called back with a penalty they faced fourth and goal from seven yards out. Micah Mountain intercepted Snowflake’s final pass of the game in the endzone, bringing an end to their season with the 31-24 loss.
Brennan Bryant finished the game completing 14 of his 30 pass attempts for 177 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Payton Papa was his primary receiver with nine catches for 103 yards and one score. McCray caught two for 41 yards with a score. Merrick Ulberg had two receptions for 34 yards. Colton Tidwell had one 21-yard catch. Karter Raban had a short five-yard catch.
On the ground, Snowflake finished with 155 total yards. Raban gained 68 on 14 attempts. McCray had 62 on 17 runs. Turley picked up 17 on seven rushes. Jo Jo Lerma ran twice, gaining four yards, and Brennan Bryant had one four-yard rush.
Snowflake finishes the season with an overall record of 7-4.
