Article By Greg Jaklewicz
Photos Courtesy of Wyliesports.com
LUBBOCK — A Tough Night in the Hub City
Greg Abbott left happy.
Parker McCollum left happy.
The Wylie Bulldogs did not leave happy.
On a busy Thursday in the Hub City, where the governor and popular country singer also drew crowds, the visiting Bulldogs could not move the happiness needle from Columbia Blue to deep purple.
The Monterey Plainsmen overcame two Wylie leads in the second half, relying on running back Deuce Moore and his big offensive line, and ended a late Bulldogs drive with an interception to take a 24-21 win at Lowrey Field.
Wylie fans numbered as many as those cheering Monterey, perhaps coming north to escape the 104-degree heat in Abilene.
The Final Drive
Down by three, Wylie got the football back with 1:40 to play after forcing Monterey to punt for the first time in the second half. The bad news? Wylie was backed up to its 17.
A third down completion of 27 yards from Jadin Karleskint to Blaze Ruffin got the football out of the hole and Wylie had hopes of a tying field goal.
However, Karleskint’s next throw from his 40 was intercepted by Monterey’s Nate DeLeon. The Plainsmen took a knee and celebrated their first win.
“Our kids fought hard and came up a little short,” Wylie coach Clay Martin said.
Senior defensive standout Deandre Rodriguez summed it up like this:
“They just played a little better. They figured out a way to stop us,” he said.
Both teams now are 1-1. Wylie returns to Sandifer Stadium next week for homecoming against Lubbock Coronado.
Size Matters
The Bulldogs were outmanned up front.
Monterey coach Jason Sims said his team’s size on the offensive line was a difference-maker in the second half.
“Oh, 100 percent,” he said. “You’re not going to see too many offensive lines like we have in high school. Both of our guys on the right side are 315 pounds. So you can’t fault Wylie for some of the stuff we were doing in the run game.
“We were very impressed with their D-line in film. I know when they get back to your average West Texas lines, they are going to give some people fits. They gave us fits.”
Moore, who did not play in the first half due to his coach’s decision, ran 12 times for 54 yards. At 190 pounds, the junior brought better size and utilized the blocking of Monterey’s offensive line that averages 285 pounds per player.
Yet it was Monterey’s ability to convert on third down that broke the Bulldogs.
The Plainsmen scored what would be the winning touchdown on a 3rd-and-10 pass of 26 yards from Jonah Reed to speedy receiver Cam Taylor. That gave Monterey a 10-point lead with less than 7 minutes to play.
“They were able to lean on us in the second half,” Martin said. “It’s pretty frustrating when they can run the football against you. When you can’t control the line of scrimmage, it’s going to be tough to win.”
Third-Down Frustration
Here’s an example of Wylie’s struggles. Monterey got the football at its 4 at the end of the first quarter. A fumbled snap and a stop for loss by Brody Martin and Carter Nelson left Monterey at its 1. Two penalties then moved the football as close to the end zone line as possible.
But on third down, Reed went short to Taylor, who slipped a tackle and got to the 17. The two players hooked up on another third-down completion on the drive. Though Wylie forced a punt downfield, third-down conversions in the second half hurt the Bulldogs.
When Wylie moved the ball, the Bulldogs didn’t get into a third-down situation. Still, the only big conversion on the night was the pass play at game’s end.
“We didn’t execute in those situations and they did,” Martin said. “You’ve got to give them all the credit. We had them behind the sticks several times but they were able to dig out.”
Monterey’s Game-Changing Drive
Wylie led 7-3 at halftime thanks to a pick-6 by defensive lineman Rodriguez, who caught a pass from Reed in open field and ran untouched into the end zone.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were stymied, going 3-and-out their first three series. Wylie gained its only two first downs on a late drive that ended with a Julius Laine fumble at the Monterey 36.
If there was a turning point, it came on Monterey’s opening drive of the second half.
The Plainsmen marched from their 33 to the Wylie 9. A run by Legin Williams got the ball to the 1, but two plays lost a yard, bringing up fourth down at the 2. Rodriguez was key in those stops.
Reed’s short throw to Jordan Evans at the goal line was incomplete, and Wylie celebrated. But an offsides penalty on Rodriguez gave Monterey a fifth chance to score, and Reed followed his blocker a yard into the end zone.
“I just forgot the snap count,” Rodriguez admitted.
Martin said those miscues have to be corrected.
“We just made too many mistakes,” Martin said. “Both sides of the ball. If we are going to be a good football team, we’ve got to eliminate that. Penalties and unnecessary mistakes.”
That gave Monterey its first lead and set the tone for a more productive second half.
Battlin’ Bulldogs
A bright spot for Wylie was responding to Monterey touchdowns.
After falling behind 10-7, the Bulldogs went 70 yards in five plays to retake the lead. Laine’s 39-yard screen was the big play, and he capped the drive with a 2-yard run.
Later, after falling behind by 10, Wylie drove 63 yards in eight plays. Karleskint was 4-for-4 on the drive, including a 27-yard completion to Ruffin. Laine punched it in from a yard out to make it 24-21 with 4:23 left.
But the Bulldogs could not score again.
“That’s why we play these games,” Martin said. “They presented us with lots of challenges, and hat’s off to them. We’re going to get better because of this game, no doubt.”
Stat Leaders
Laine scored twice but was limited to 38 yards on 14 carries.
Williams led all ballcarriers with 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
Karleskint threw for 161 yards, completing 13 of 17 passes.
Ruffin led receivers with six catches for 80 yards.
Monterey controlled the game clock with 22 first downs and 65 plays to Wylie’s 37.
Wylie Individual Stats
Rushing – Julius Laine, 14-38-2; Jadin Karleskint, 6-18
Passing – Karleskint, 13-17-0-2, 161 yards
Receiving – Blaze Ruffin, 6-80; Wyatt Kidman, 3-30; Laine, 2-37; Jayden Naemi, 1-10; Blake Frailing, 1-4
Yardstick
Wylie / Monterey
First downs: 12 / 22
Rushing: 20-56 / 42-182
Passing: 161 / 179
Total offense: 217 / 361
Turnovers: 1 / 1
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Wylie – Deandre Rodriguez 29 interception return (Noah Rehburg kick), 7:50
MHS – Cam Martinez 27 FG, 2:34
Third Quarter
MHS – Jonah Reed 1 run (Martinez kick), 6:51
Wylie – Julius Laine 2 run (Rehburg kick), 5:39
MHS – Legin Williams 16 run (Martinez kick), 2:14
Fourth Quarter
MHS – Cam Taylor 26 pass from Reed (Martinez kick), 6:56
Wylie – Laine 1 run (Rehburg kick), 4:23
District 2-5A Results
Thursday
Lubbock Monterey 24, Wylie 21
Friday
Amarillo Palo Duro 48 vs. Amarillo Caprock 0
Abilene Cooper 13 vs. Abilene High 34
Lubbock-Cooper 49 at Lubbock Coronado 14
Pampa 41 at Plainview 49
Wichita Falls Legacy 3 at Amarillo Tascosa 53
Wichita Falls Memorial 33 at Frenship 26