Monahans Outguns Fifth-Ranked Snyder in Opening Game
    by Jessica Ray, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, September 4, 2007

How often does a high school football team score on a kick-off return in Texas high school football?  During Thursday night's game between Monahans and Snyder, the answer is twice.

Snyder was ranked fifth in Texas by the Associated Press and tenth by Harris Weekly before a loss to Monahans during Midland Grande's ASCO Football Madness.

The outcome shocked the polls and many fans, even though in the last five match-ups against Snyder, Monahans has won four.  It is a tradition that has not come easy.

The Loboes took the lead in the first quarter when Varsity newcomer running back Stephen Neel (13) scored the first touchdown to give Monahans a 7-0 lead with the extra point.  Will Clay scored for Snyder in the second, and the Tigers took advantage of the possession with a 71-yard run for a touchdown and the lead.

The next two plays were the most bizarre of the game.  Monahans running back Clay Anthony (21) returned the kick-off 88 yards for a touchdown.  Quarterback Steven Valles' (7) conversion kick made the score 14-13, and Monahans again took the lead.

Eyebrows raised and jaws dropped when Snyder did the same off the next kickoff, running 87 yards to score.  Neel scored one more time before the half.  The two-point conversion attempt failed, and the score was tied at the half, 20-20.

Snyder took the lead with six points in the third quarter after a touchdown and a failed kick, but the Loboes began to dominate in the next possession.

Tyson Childress returned the kickoff to the Lobo 44-yard line.  The Loboes lost three yards in each of the next two plays to make it third and 16.

When Montoya caught a 21-yard pass from Valles at the Snyder 44, it was first down Monahans.  Tanner Owens (10) caught a 21-yard pass from Valles at the Snyder 44, it was first down Monahans.  Tanner Owens (10) caught a Valles kicked the extra point to stretch the Lobo lead, 27-20.

Snyder was forced to punt in the next possession.  After a two-yard carry by Childress, Neel ran 77 yards for another touchdown, 33-26.  Valles, again, kicked the extra point for a 34-26 lead.

With less than two minutes remaining in the third, Snyder was unable to get a first down despite a penalty that moved the ball five yards in favor of the Tiger offense.

Montoya completed another big play when he caught a Valles pass before being stopped at the one-yard line.  Neel pressed through the Snyder defense for the final Lobo touchdown of the night.  Valles' kick made the score 41-26.

In the fourth quarter, Snyder went on a 28-yard run for another touchdown to close the score 41-32.  When the two-point conversion was broken up by the Loboes, it left the Tigers behind by 9 points.  With 5:43 left on the clock, the deficit left little hope for Snyder.  In the next play, Monahans was taken by surprise with an onside kick.

Monahans recovered the ball but was forced to punt.  Two punts later, Snyder had the ball on their own 17-yard line.  Snyder completed a pass on the third attempt but was unable to score.

Monahans fans counted down the last four seconds of the game, celebrating a victory over the Snyder Tigers.

Coach Mickey Owens credits the offensive line with clearing the way for Neel.  The Loboes, who are considered young after losing several starters to graduation in the spring, are now 1-0 and off to an impressive season start.

"They grew up tonight," said Owens on Thursday.

The outcome sent Snyder out of the top ten in both polls and sent Monahans into the ten spot in the Harris Ratings Weekly.

The future of Lobo football also looks promising after the JV and freshman teams beat Snyder on Friday, with respective scores of 39-20 and 56-8.

The Loboes now have an open week to prepare for their homecoming game against Midland Christian next week, as the JV gets ready to host Crane.

The freshmen team, however, will travel to Big Spring this Thursday and have their open day on September 13.  Kickoff for the freshmen is at 5pm.

keyed by Laura, Junior 07'