AUSTIN – An early flurry of offense was enough for the Bowie Bulldogs to cruise past the Lehman Lobos in a 65-21 blowout Nov. 1 at Toney Burger Stadium.
The Bulldogs got off to a blazing hot start, scoring touchdowns on their first five drives of the game. Big plays from playmaking seniors Elijah Higgins and Kyle Carter became too much for the Lobo football team to control. The Lobos quickly fell into a 35-0 hole.
The Lobos found some life late in the first half when senior Cayden Raymond found sophomore Bryant Lewis for an 84-yard touchdown pass. On the following drive, senior Dadrein Brazil came away with an interception to get the ball back.
Momentum, however, ended quickly when the Lobos suffered a miscue while backed up at their own five-yard line. An errant snap went over Raymond’s head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Bowie then took the ensuing free-kick 73 yards for another score. Once the smoke settled, the Lobos trailed 44-7 going into the half.
Bowie tallied two more touchdowns early in the third frame, but Lehman’s offense finally sprang to life. The Lobos turned to running backs Keyshaun Williams and Phillip Garcia to move the ball down the field. Garcia finished off the drive with a powerful run at the goal line to trim Bowie’s lead down to 58-14. The Bulldogs immediately retaliated with a 68-yard rushing touchdown. Williams tallied the final points of the game with a one-yard touchdown run.
Lehman head coach Bruce Salmon felt his team started slow, but remains proud of how they responded and battled.
“We came out in the second half and played a lot better,” Salmon said. “It’s been a tough road, but I’m proud of these kids and I’m proud how they are sticking through things.”
Lehman finished with 382 total yards of offense. Raymond went 9 of 25 for 226 yards and a touchdown. Lewis caught five passes for 175 yards and a score. Garcia ran for 45 yards and a score on 11 carries, and Williams carried the ball 19 times for 90 yards, and a touchdown.
Salmon is pleased with the progress Williams has made and believes he will continue to improve week by week.
“He’s a guy that continues to get better each and every week,” Salmon said. “He’s come a long way and we look forward to good things from him in the future.”
With the Lobos hosting Akins Friday at home, Salmon made it clear what he wants to get done going into his team’s final showdown.
“The expectation is to send these seniors out with a win.” Salmon said. “These are the guys that stuck through thick and thin, and I’d love nothing more than to give them a win to send them off.”
