Lehman’s Matt Zamora tries to get away from an outstretched Round Rock defender during the Lobos’ 7-on-7 victory over the Dragons Saturday during tournament action. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by JASON GORDON
On a day where Lehman players went through as many twists and turns of emotion as the most exciting roller coaster at Fiesta Texas, the Lobos proved they can play with some of the area’s best teams at the Hays State Qualifying 7-on-7 tournament Saturday.
After dropping a heartbreaking 26-20 decision against fellow District 27-4A foe and eventual tournament champion Alamo Heights in the first game of pool play, Lehman rebounded for a 33-26 victory over Class 5A Round Rock before falling to Class 5A Bastrop 38-37 in double overtime.
The officials didn’t make things easy on Lehman, as three of the Lobos’ top players were ejected in the second half against Round Rock.
On a play in which receiver Charles Williams was clearly undercut by a Round Rock defender and no flag flew for unnecessary roughness, Lobos Matt Riojas and AJ Armonta were ejected from the game for leaving the bench area.
On the next play Williams was ejected for pushing off a Round Rock defender while running a passing route.
“Anyone that’s ever been kicked out of a game wishes they could do things differently,” Riojas said. “We were just reacting to what we felt was a bad call and were trying to stick up for our teammate.”
Making matters worse, after allowing Riojas, Armonta and Williams to play the first half of Lehman’s loss to Bastrop in the final pool play game of the day, officials decided since the three had been ejected in the earlier game against Round Rock they couldn’t play any more in the tournament and the trio had to sit out the rest of the game against the Bears.
“It was pretty bizarre,” Riojas said. “But I’m proud of the guys that were in there during the second half and overtime against Bastrop. I think we really showed we have the talent to play with anyone today.”
Against Round Rock, Levi Medley and Cameron Baird caught two touchdowns apiece from quarterback Matt Anguiano and Riojas caught another in the victory.
Against Bastrop in a game neither team led by more than seven points, Jaylon Hardaway, Medley, Baird and Derek Jackson all caught touchdown passes of 30 yards or longer from Anguiano as the two teams finished regulation tied at 25.
After a discussion of more than 10 minutes, officials finally decided to allow Lehman and Bastrop to head to overtime in the pool play game even though Alamo Heights’ victory over Round Rock meant the Mules were heading to the semifinals out of the Lobos’ pool.
In the first overtime, Lehman used a reverse shuffle pass to the speedy Medley to totally befuddle Bastrop. Medley waltzed into the end zone for a 20-yard score, but the Lobos dropped the potential game-winning extra point and the game went into a second overtime tied at 31.
After Bastrop scored and made a one-point conversion in double overtime, Lehman decided to go for a two-point conversion and the win after Anguiano’s touchdown pass to Matt Zamaora brought the Lobos to within 38-37. The conversion pass was tipped away to bring the exciting game to an end.
“I think we showed we have the capability to play at the level of some of the top programs around,” Medley said. “I’m very proud of the way we pulled together as a team today.”
With the regular 7-on-7 season coming to an end Tuesday at Shelton Stadium, Williams and his teammates are anticipating two-a-day summer workouts, which will begin August 1.
“We definitely came a long way this summer since week one,” Williams said. “We can’t wait for two-a-days to start. We’ll be ready.”
Lehman 7-on-7 coach Lee Perry was also pleased with the way the Lobos progressed this summer.
“Without question we’ve gotten better this summer,” Perry said. “I’ve seen a lot of kids develop into players who can definitely make a difference at the varsity level. The culture has changed at Lehman. I was very proud of the way the kids showed up at each and every practice this summer. That kind of work ethic and dedication will serve them well this season.”
