The
2007 football season has been a roller coaster
ride for the Monahans Loboes. 
From its highest peak of defeating No. 5 Snyder
in the season opener, to its lowest valley of
losing to Fort Stockton at home, to rising back
up to clinch a playoff spot.
One of the main reasons the Loboes have
struggled this season has been injuries.
Running back Stephen Neel, who rushed for 245
yards in the opening win over Snyder, had his
bell rung against Andrews and hurt his ankle
later and hasn’t played much since.
He will suit up tonight, but is no longer the
feature back in an offense struggling to find a
go-to guy.
Despite everything, the Loboes (6-4) are still
playing in the Class 3A Division II playoffs and
will face a Snyder team at 2 p.m. today at
Grande Communications Stadium in Midland that is
much different than the one Monahans defeated
41-32 in the opener.
“We aren’t intimidated,” Monahans head coach
Mickey Owens said. “Our kids are not scared of
them one bit. I know they will go over there and
fight their tails off. Win or lose, there won’t
be a problem with effort.”
The Loboes are going to need every ounce of
effort from the entire team to beat a Tigers
team that has destroyed the competition
recently.
Snyder (9-2) has won four consecutive games
since losing to Canyon 24-21. The Tigers have
outscored those opponents, including Greenwood,
Andrews and Brownfield, 186-27.
“They are hitting their stride right now
defensively,” Owens said of Snyder. “They are a
senior-oriented team and they know what it takes
to step it up in the playoffs.”
For the Loboes to counteract Snyder’s defense,
they will have to put together some
time-consuming drives not only to tire out the
Tigers but also keep their explosive offense on
the sidelines.
Fullback Clay Anthony will be a key player in
that, as will the quarterback rotation of Quincy
Titus and Steven Valles.
“We need to mix it up running and passing,”
Owens said. “We need to shorten the game and not
get into second-and-9s. That is what they did
against Brownfield and Andrews. When they do
that they have the speed up front to get you in
a bind.”
One of the reasons Snyder can cause so many
problems is a deep, experienced roster led by
quarterback Lance Day and running back Will
Clay. Both players helped lead the Tigers past
the Loboes in the area round last season.
Snyder head coach Chad Rogers isn’t taking
anything for granted, though, not the experience
he has on his side of the field or the fact that
last season started the same way — with a
season-opening loss to Monahans before a playoff
rematch.
“I don’t think any time Snyder and Monahans
hooks up it is easy,” Rogers said. “They are a
quality program."