The first quarter of Friday’s game against the Vista Ridge Rangers was one to forget for the Lehman Lobos.
Three touchdowns scored in the first 12 minutes of play placed Lehman in a hole they couldn’t dig out of as they eventually fell 49-7 to Vista Ridge in the team’s district opener.
Vista Ridge senior quarterback Jacob Taute connected on three early passing touchdowns to senior wide receiver, running back hybrid Jamil Pittman to open the game.
The Lobo defense struggled to stop the potent offensive attack of the Rangers; Pittman was on the receiving end of 61-yard, 10-yard and 5-yard touchdown passes from Taute.
“They’re fitting holes, they are doing what we are asking ... Problem is when they get to the ball carrier, get to the play, they are not wrapping up or making tackles.” Joshua Kirkland, Lobo head coach
Lehman head coach Josh Kirkland said the Lobo defense was in the right spots to make plays throughout the game, but couldn’t finish when the opportunity arose. While he said fixing those issues doesn’t happen in the span of a year, he said the Lobos often were bouncing off of tackles.
“They’re fitting holes, they are doing what we are asking,” Kirkland said. “Problem is when they get to the ball carrier, get to the play, they are not wrapping up or making tackles. They are not doing those kinds of things.”
Lobo freshman quarterback Bryant Lewis opened up the second quarter with a 24-yard touchdown run. However, Lehman was unable to capitalize on the momentum shift as the defense gave up a 14-yard touchdown pass from Taute to senior tight end Daniel Reich. Vista Ridge scored again on an 11-yard run by Pittman to close out the first half.
“He’s got a great arm, very smart football kid,” Kirkland said of Lewis. “He is stupid fast. And he showed those things tonight. He also showed signs of being a freshman, you’re going to get that whenever you start a freshman.”
Lewis finished the game with 18 carries for 74 yards and one rushing touchdown. He also added 93 yards passing and threw one interception.
“He throws it well, and he is so special when the ball is in his hands,” said Kirkland. “We are hoping to see a lot more of that for the next three and a half years.”
Vista Ridge continued its strong first half play into the second half with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Taute to Pittman.
Taute finished the game 10 of 17 for 190 yards passing and 5 total touchdowns.
Pittman received four of Taute’s five touchdown passes on the night. He led the team with seven receptions and 149 yards. Pittman also rushed for 66 yards on nine carries and one score.
A 34-yard rushing touchdown from Ranger senior running back Darius Johnson capped off the game. Johnson finished with 159 yards rushing.
Other key contributors for the Lobos were sophomore running back Diego Romero and senior wide receiver Chastin Evans. Romero carried the ball 11 times for 73 yards, while also adding 5 catches for 31 yards. Evans finished the game with 5 catches for 43 yards.
Although Lehman had a rough game against Vista Ridge Friday night, Kirkland highlighted the lack of blocking, tackling and focus as key factors for the loss. But, the youth movement of his team has Kirkland excited about Lehman’s future potential.
“I am excited about where we are headed because we do have a lot of young guys and some guys who have really bought in,” Kirkland said. “We are headed in the right direction.”
