Big Spring Steers have comeback win in season opener; look to use this win as spring board
The Big Spring Steers opened up this season on the road facing off against the Vernon Lions. This was a long drive to open the season, but this Steers team didn't seem to matter. They have been focused all week long, and they went on to show that early on in this game. The Steers went on to outlast Vernon and win this game 31-22.
The 2021 Big Spring Steer Varsity team went full force into this first game and opened the season season with a win. The team has been growing together and refining their skills the past few years, and this year they are looking to show what a powerhouse they can be. If this season opener was any indication, the Steers will be making a name for themselves this season and leaving their opponents in the dust.
The game started with Vernon getting the ball first after the Steers deferred until the second half. The defense came up big on the first drive shutting down Vernon easy. Then, the Steers on the offensive side of the ball decided to break out this season in style. On what may have been the fifth play of the year, Quarterback Gabriel Baeza found Keagen Mitchell for a 46-yard pass, in which Mitchell showed moves that should only be in video games. After the Steers came out and scored first, it was the Vernon Lions who needed to respond. Respond is precisely what they would do as the Lions started to control the clock by a very consistent running game. The Lions would go on a very long drive keeping the Steers defensive on the field. In the end, the Lions scored and tacked on a two-point conversion, giving Vernon the lead after one quarter of play by a score of 8-7.
The start of the second quarter found the Steers trailing by one single point. It was a close battle all quarter long. Still, it was eventually the Steers who broke through when it was a touchdown pass from Baeza to Wide Receiver Quetauian Lewis with only 1:09 in the first half to take the lead with a score of 15-8. After the score, the Steers defense would shut down the Lions' offense leaving the score in the Steers favors 15-8 after one half of play.
In the third quarter of play, the pace of play stayed the same as the team from Vernon tried to control the clock by keeping the ball on the ground; it would be the Vernon Lions who scored right before the start of the fourth quarter to take a 16-15 lead.
Trailing by one single point, it was the Steers who found themselves self-playing from behind. This would not be easy for the Steers as it was the Lions getting that score on the board first in the fourth quarter extending their lead to 22-15, with just over 5:00 minutes to play. With the game on the line, QB Gabriel Baeza knew it was time to shine, and that is precisely what the young man did. Baeza with hookup with WR Eli Cobos for a TD to give the Steers a 23-22 lead with only 5:38 to play. Following the big touchdown pass, the defense came up big, forcing a critical fumble. The Steers went on to get the ball at the 20-yard line with only 4:47 lest on the clock. The Steers went on to work the clock and Windle downtime. The Steers tacked on the extra touchdown of the night with only 1:31 to play. It was this score that gave the Steers a lead of 31-22. This was all the Steers needed as they went on to win the forest game of the season.
Even though they made this a close game, the Steers came out on top, and it was Senior quarterback who looked like the veteran quarterback he is. If this game is any indication, the quarterback will be one of the best players in all of the district. I am looking forward to seeing what this team has in store for the future.