Midland Christian Tops Monahans
    By Sam Waller, Staff Writer ~~ Odessa American, September 15, 2007

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MONAHANS  Three bad snaps ruined homecoming for the Monahans Loboes on Friday night.

One led to the game’s first score and another forced Monahans to go for a two-point conversion to tie in the final minutes, but the Midland Christian Mustangs were able to hang on for a 21-19 victory at Estes Memorial Stadium.

The first two bad snaps came on consecutive plays and cost Monahans (1-1) 55 yards and a touchdown.  After a 27-yard loss on third down backed Monahans up to its 28, the fourth-down snap skipped past punter Clay Anthony.  Anthony attempted to scoop the ball up at the 4, but had it bounce into the end zone where Midland Christian’s Clay Guelker recovered for the first touchdown scored on Estes Memorial’s new turf field.

The Mustangs led 21-0 before the Loboes could recover.

"You can’t spot any team 21 points," Monahans coach Mickey Owens said.  "I thought our kids played extremely hard after the 21 points, but you can’t give them that."

The third bad snap came on a conversion attempt after Monahans pulled within 21-13 in the fourth quarter.  When Stephen Neel, who rushed for 116 yards on 22 carries, scored on a 1-yard plunge with 1:28 remaining to make it 21-19, the Loboes were forced to go for two.  Midland Christian’s Hunter Redman stopped Monahans’ Matthew Montoya at the 1 to preserve the lead.

Midland Christian quarterback Cory Burleson threw for 148 yards and a touchdown as the Mustangs (1-2) jumped out in front.  Burleson, who completed his first five passes and had 114 yards at halftime, hit Jon Hibler for a 49-yard score on the first play of the second quarter.

Burleson said success in the passing game was a major factor for Midland Christian.  The normally ground-oriented Mustangs managed just 81 yards rushing.

"(The Loboes) were bringing heat and that’s what stopped us the last two games," Burleson said.  "We came out and threw the ball, and they backed off us.  We only had four possessions in the first half, but we played really well.  Our passing game was on the money."

Jasper McKee, who had 47 yards on 16 carries, capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 1-yard run with 4:51 left in the first half.

Monahans got on the board with 36 seconds to go in the half when Steven Valles hit Julian Hernandez from 25 yards out.  The Loboes benefited from a roughing-the-passer foul against the Mustangs that wiped out an interception by Bryant Burleson with 51 seconds remaining.

Valles, who was 7-of-15 for 98 yards, hit Montoya for a 22-yard score with 8:18 left in the game to get the Loboes within eight.

"The seven points before half were big," Owens said.  "That was emotionally lifting.  We had a chance to tie it up.  I thought we played hard in the second half.  The kids were flying around and giving a better effort.

"Midland Christian’s a good football team.  They’re getting better every week.  Hopefully, we’ll respond next week like those guys did after they played Andrews.  That’s what we need to do."

Midland Christian 21, Monahans 19

  

 
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