Homecoming night was not so sweet for the Lehman Lobos (1-3) as they fell 33-17 to the San Antonio John Jay Mustangs (3-1) Friday at Bob Shelton Stadium.
The Lobos got off to a rough start with an early interception to Mustangs defensive back Nathan Garcia on the first drive of the game. San Antonio Jay followed the turnover with a 39-yard touchdown run by junior running back Jaylin Hastings.
On the next drive, the Lehman offense responded well to adversity with a 17-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Daniel O’Neal to freshman wide receiver Bryant Lewis. The Lobos were unable to sustain its offensive momentum from the touchdown as they did not score again until the second half.
The Mustang offense kept their foot on the pedal as senior running back Jonathan Gamez scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown to end the first quarter. Jay added a 35-yard field goal, and a 5-yard rushing touchdown by sophomore wide receiver Danny Amezquita to push the lead to 27-7 by halftime.
Jay seemed to put the game out of reach midway through the third quarter after Mustang junior quarterback Jacob Zeno tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Marcus Alcaraz. The Mustangs led 33-7 and held momentum.
Lehman, however, rallied on the shoulders of freshman wide receiver Bryant Lewis, who was the emergency quarterback after O’Neal suffered an injury earlier in the game.
Lewis gave Lehman life with a 63-yard touchdown to cut the Mustang lead to 33-14.
A 31-yard fourth quarter Lehman field goal brought the Lobos within two scores with only five minutes left in the game. But the comeback rally fell short as the Lehman defense ran out of gas and the Mustang offense ran out the clock.
Lehman begins district play when they host Vista Ridge Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m.