By Moses Leos III

21-0 run in the final nine minutes of play allowed the Del Valle Cardinals to defeat the Lehman Lobos 35-17 on Friday. 

By virtue of the loss, Lehman (1-6, 1-4) must win their final three games, and receive some help, to claim their first ever playoff berth.

Del Valle was led by running backs Will and Emmanuel Grear. The duo combined for 283 combined all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns in the game.

The Cardinals took a 7-0 first quarter lead via a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Elijah Duran.

Lehman quarterback Jeremy Schilhab responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Henderson to tie the game.

Schilhab, who returned to action after suffering an injury on Sept. 26, rushed for 38 yards on 17 carries and a score. He also threw for 129 yards and a touchdown.

However, the Cardinals responded with a three-yard touchdown run from Will Grear, taking a14-7 second quarter advantage.

Lehman countered with 49 yard from freshman kicker Mark Piedra to cut the Cardinal lead to 14-10.

Both defenses took over, which led to a scoreless third quarter. Highlighting the effort was a goal line stand by the Lobos, which forced a Del Valle fumble at the Lehman two-yard line.

The Lobos carried that momentum into the fourth, where they took their first and only lead.

Schilhab punched in a five-yard touchdown run, giving Lehman a 17-14 lead with just over 11 minutes left. 

But it took Del Valle less than two minutes to reclaim the lead and momentum for good. Will Grear rumbled 59-yards giving Del Valle a 21-17 advantage.

Del Valle added 14 more points to end the Lobos’ night. 

The Lobos enter the bye week needing some help to reach the playoffs. Finishing the season strong is the end goal for Schilhab and the seniors.

“We have three games left. We want to win them all,” Schilhab said. “We want to win the last three games for the seniors and go out with a bang.”