By Logan McCullough
The Lehman Lobos (1-2) picked up their first win in nearly two years as they cruised past the Akins Eagles (2-1) 42-7 Friday at Shelton Stadium.
The Lobos put on a show for their homecoming crowd as they controlled the line of scrimmage from the opening whistle on. They scored on their first three drives to push the score to 21-0 by the end of the first quarter and 35-0 by halftime. Things slowed down in the second half, with Lehman and Akins scoring one touchdown a piece.
Friday’s win was a monumental victory and a huge stepping stone for the Lehman football program. After dealing with a tough season in 2015, and having to manage a medley of injuries at the beginning of this season, Lehman needed the win, according to Lehman head coach Todd Raymon. “I’m proud of the kids,” said Raymond. “We needed this. We needed this to believe, to get over that hump a little bit.”
The Lobo offense revolves around a “three-headed monster” as Todd Raymond puts it. The players who make up this monster include quartertback Jacob Zamora, running back Bryan Mendoza and hybrid wide receiver and running Tyler Henderson.
The star of the night was senior Bryan Mendoza, who led the Lobos rushing attack with 178 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns.
“I just got more opportunities,” Mendoza said. “And when I got those opportunities, I just showed out.”
Senior captain Tyler Henderson rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns on the night, before being sidelined for the second half with another lower-leg injury.
Lobo senior quarterback Jacob Zamora was back to full health and went 17 of 25, at one time completing 11 consecutive throws, for 161 yards and one rushing touchdown.
His two primary weapons through the air were juniors Braden Sullins and Chastin Evans.
Sullins recorded 10 catches for 90 yards and Evans had three receptions for 37 total yards.
“You saw what we’re capable of,” Raymond said. “We were healthy for the first time tonight, really since the first half of Westwood, and what you saw offensively is what we were hoping to be all year.”
Raymond credited the offensive fire power and its ability to distribute the ball to a number of diverse threats, but gave the upmost respect to the defense for its outstanding play.
“The defense played their tails off. They just pounded those kids,” Raymond said. “I’m proud of the defense. I’m just proud of the effort all around that our kids gave tonight,”
Lehman’s defense was led by defensive tackle Carl Ferguson, who recorded a fumble recovery and sack, and junior defensive back Kaleb Priestly, who had two interceptions and a number of pass deflections on the night.
Akins’ lone touchdown came on a 49 yard run by senior quarterback Demarcus Cabezas. Cabezas finished the game 4-15 for 76 yards in the air, and 49 yards on the ground. Other Akins contributors include running back Kenan Lockhart with 56 yards on 16 carries.
The Lobos are back in action on Friday with a non-district game against San Antonio Jay in San Antonio.
