The battle at the top of the standings in the 3A East went to the Show Low Cougars last Friday night as they scored a 24-20 come from behind win at Lobo Stadium in what could be the first of two match-ups between the two teams. With the win Show Low remained unbeaten at 9-0 while Snowflake dropped to 8-1.
Playing in front of a very large crowd Snowflake got on the board first. A muffed punt by the Cougars set the Lobos up at the Show Low 35 yard line near the end of the first period. Two plays later, Tanner Willis scored on a 36-yard run and Teagan Peterson’s point after boot put the home team on top 7-0.
Show Low returned the ensuing kickoff down to the Lobo 31 yard line, but Snowflake’s defense stiffened, limiting the Cougars to an impressive 41-yard field goal by Cole Gardanier. That left the Lobos on top 7-3 with 11:07 left in the half.
With 5:40 remaining in the half Willis again broke free, scoring on a 31-yard run to put Snowflake on top 13-3.
Show Low came right back, capping a six-play, 60-yard drive with a one-yard plunge by Chris Imoto with 3:36 left on the clock. Gardanier’s point after made the score 13-10 in favor of Snowflake at the half.
The Lobos forced the Cougars to turn the ball over on downs on their initial second half possession, leaving Snowflake with the ball at the Cougar 38 yard line. Three plays later Zach Solomon found the end zone on a 29-yard run. Peterson’s PAT put Snowflake on top 20-10.
Show Low’s next possession ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Ricedorff to Imoto, which finished a 63-yard, seven-play drive. The point after pulled the Cougars within three at 20-17.
Snowflake then put together an impressive drive, marching down the field in 10 plays highlighted by Solomon’s 54-yard run. Unfortunately for Lobo fans, that drive stalled inside Show Low’s 10 yard line where the Cougars held the Lobos on fourth down, leaving just a three-point difference in the score.
The Cougars took over at their own 11 yard line and put together what would be the game winning drive. They marched 89 yards in 13 plays, with the go ahead touchdown coming on a two-yard Imoto run. Gardanier’s kick made the final score 24-20 with 2:11 left in the game.
Snowflake made one last effort, but the drive ended on fourth down at the Show Low 35 yard line.
Lobo Trey Schneider completed seven of 19 passes for 84 yards. JT Tate had three catches for 36 yards. Willis had two for 30 yards. Trenton Hatch caught one for 11 yards and Steven Brimhall had one seven-yard catch.
Solomon led the rushing attack with 141 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Willis ran just four times, but picked up 72 yards and two scores on those runs. Peterson rushed nine times, gaining 15 yards. Schneider had one five-yard carry and Hatch had one three-yard rush.
Snowflake will put a wrap on the regular season at Lakeside this week as they meet the Blue Ridge Yellowjackets to claim what is expected to be their ninth win of the season.
Show Low hosts Winslow in a game that should complete their regular season with a perfect mark.
Despite the Cougar win, Snowflake may well have remained on top of the 3A standings when the rankings came out on Tuesday. The Lobos had a six point lead in the power rankings, and even with a loss they may still head to the post-season as the top team if they can get past the Yellowjackets.
Show Low entered the game ranked fifth and should move up, but they more than likely won’t displace the Lobos on the top line. American Leadership entered the weekend ranked second. Next was Monument Valley in third and Sabino was ranked fourth. Each of those teams won last Friday, leaving a lot to be decided in the final week of the regular season.
