Big Spring Herald

9th Grade team prevails, JV falls big on the road against Monahans

- By SHAWN MORAN Herald Sports Writer

MONAHANS — The Big Spring Steers took a trip out west on Thursday night for the 9th Grade and Junior Varsity teams to take on the Monahans Loboes.

In the 9th Grade game, the Steers overcame four first-half intercepti­ons from quarterbac­k Gavin Padron and relied heavily on the playmaking ability of Kavien Ford en route to an 18-6 win. Following the big season-opening loss to Canyon last Thursday night, the Freshmen Steers were able to redeem themselves and pick up their first win of the new season.

On the other hand, Big Spring's JV dropped to 0-2 on the season after a penaltyrid­dled 38-8 loss to the Loboes. The Steers' JV was able to find the end zone for the first time this season but were otherwise outmatched by the power and speed of the Monahans offense.

Here is a recap of each game: 9TH GRADE TEAM

Following a week where he was one of the Big Spring's only consistent performers, Padron threw an intercepti­on on one of the Steers' opening drives that gave Monahans solid field position.

This was followed up by an intercepti­on of their own when Ford was able to slip in front of the intended receiver and pick the pass off. However, the Steers were unable to do anything with the ball following that turnover and the first quarter came to a close without any points being scored by either side.

Early in the second quarter, Padron tried to go to an intended receiver deep down the left sideline on another pass that was intercepte­d by the Monahans' defense.

On defense, Ford once again said not so fast and picked off another pass that he was able to return to Big Spring's own 39-yard line.

Ford then made his presence felt on the offensive side of the ball by taking a swing pass on third down 20 yards and into Loboe territory. On a fourth down and short just outside of the red zone, Padron was able to find receiver Tyree Brawley for a first down at the 14-yard line. Two plays later, Padron took a shot for the end zone and was once again intercepte­d by a Monahans defender. This time, wide receiver Jacob Cantu chased down the Monahans defender and forced a fumble that the Steers were able to recover.

Big Spring now had the ball at the Monahans' 12yard line midway through the second quarter. On first down, Ford took a carry up the middle where he trucked a Monahans defender at the goal line and found himself in the end zone for Big Spring's first lead. The extra point was a failed two-point conversion attempt on a trick play pass by Ford that fell incomplete and the Steers lead 6-0.

Monahans followed up the Big Spring scoring drive by going three-and-out and gave the ball back to the Steers with under two minutes remaining in the first half.

The Big Spring drive was jump started by a 28yard change of direction run by Brawley where he went from the left side of the field to the right while also hurdling a Monahans' defender in the process. The Steers were now inside enemy territory and had the ball at the 43-yard line with time winding down.

Padron hit Donavyn Hillario for an 18-yard gain and then was able to connect with Joseph Murrillo for a 20-yard gain that put the Steers at the 15-yard line with 15 second remaining in the first half. Padron fired a pass inside the 5-yard line for an intended receiver that was once again intercepte­d by Monahans.

The Loboes then ran out the clock and the Steers held a 6-0 halftime lead.

The third quarter started off slow and was scoreless through most of the 9-minute period. Monahans was able to put together a tremendous drive that began at their own 33-yard line and ended with a 14-yard touchdown run where the Monahans running back was able to break what seemed like six tackles on his way to the end zone. The Loboes failed the two-point conversion attempt and the game was tied 6-6 with under two minutes left in the third.

On the next four combined drives, each one ended with a punt away to the other team.

Then, with about four minutes remaining in the game, the Steers started with the ball at their own 10-yard line. Cantu was able to catch an under-thrown ball from Padron on a deflection that went for 32 yards and jumpstarte­d the Steer offense. On the very next play, Cantu took a sweep that he took for another 32 yards and put his team at the Monahans' 31-yard line.

On a 4th-and-5 from the 26-yard line, Padron found Brawley for what turned out to be the gamewinnin­g touchdown. The extra point was unsuccessf­ul and the Steers held a 12-6 lead with just over two minutes left in the game.

On the ensuing Monahans drive, their quarterbac­k tried to look for an easy completion on a screen pass that was read perfectly by Murrillo. He jumped in front of the pass and returned it untouched to the house for a game-sealing Steers' score.

Monahans fumbled the kickoff following the Steer touchdown and Big Spring ran out the clock for an 18-6 victory.

UP NEXT: The 9th Grade Team (1-1) will host Brownfield next Thursday evening at 5:00 p.m.

 ?? HERALD Photo/Shawn Moran ?? Backup quarterbac­k Jeremy Fassett finishes out the game at quarterbac­k after David Rios left injured.
HERALD Photo/Shawn Moran Backup quarterbac­k Jeremy Fassett finishes out the game at quarterbac­k after David Rios left injured.

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