Is it the offensive line or the running backs that make the Loboes so successful?
Monahans (1-0) ran wild on the No. 5-ranked Snyder Tigers in its 41-32 victory at Grande Communications Stadium.
Monahans racked up 276 yards on the ground, with junior Stephen Neel picking up 245 of those in the season opener for both teams.
“Put anyone back there,” Monahans center Chase Williams said. “We’ve got the line, you just put anyone back there and they will get yards.”
Neel certainly did that, rushing for four touchdowns on runs of 22 yards, 64 yards, 77 yards and 1 yard.
Not a bad way to open a varsity career.
“For three years in a row we’ve had some great running backs,” Monahans head coach Mickey Owens said. “But it’s the offensive line. We had Sam Graves, Josh Rodriguez and now Stephen Neel, but it’s line coach Chris Simpson and the line up front.”
The Loboes dominated the line of scrimmage all night, but it was never more apparent in the third quarter.
Snyder (0-1) took a 26-20 lead with 10:22 remaining in the third on a 26-yard pass from Lance Day to Blaine Knipe.
Monahans rallied right back, though, scoring six plays later as quarterback Steven Valles hit Tanner Owens on an underneath route. Owens broke two tackles and 42 yards later scored to give the Loboes a 27-26 lead as Valles also made the valuable extra point.
The Loboes then forced a three-and-out and Neel took over.
On the second play of the possession, Neel went up the middle nearly untouched to score on a 77-yard run.
After the defense forced another three-and-out, Valles hit Matthew Montoya on a 41-yard pass to set up a 1-yard score by Neel.
“The second half was a tribute to these kids,” Owens said. “They grew up tonight. Defensively we moved some guys around and did a great job of stunting and hitting the gaps. It is a credit to our defensive coaches.”
Valles finished 5-of-14 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown. He also kicked five extra points.
Snyder’s Will Clay rushed for 242 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns, while Day finished 7-of-18 for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Monahans 41, Snyder 32
Snyder 6 14 6 6 — 32
Monahans 7 13 21 0 — 41