The Springlake-Earth Wolverines couldn’t hold on to a hard fought lead in Whiteface last Friday as they fell 50-44 to the Antelopes in UIL high school six-man football action.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter. Whiteface took the ball first on their own 35 yard line and marched down to the Springlake-Earth one yard line when Ethan Kauffman lost the handle on the ball and the Wolverines recovered.
The Wolverines, however, were stopped cold on their own 27 yard line and forced to punt, pinning Whiteface on their own one yard line.
The Antelopes wasted no time, however, moving down to the Springlake-Earth three yard line where Julio Borunda got the call for a touchdown. Damian Castaneda’s kick failed, but the Antelopes led 6-0 with 18 seconds left in the first quarter.
Springlake-Earth took over and was on the Whiteface three yard line when the first period ended. Jerry Gallegos got the call for the touchdown and J.J. Jarimio’s kick was good for an 8-6 Wolverine lead with 9:54 left in the first half.
Springlake-Earth tried to pin the Antelopes deep with a kick to the eight yard line, but an 18 yard return by Gavin Baker gave Whiteface a first down and 15 from their own 26 yard line.
Ten plays later Kauffman crossed the goal line on a one yard run for a 12-8 Whiteface lead with 6:21 left in the first half after the extra-point play failed.
Baker recovered the Whiteface onside kick, giving the Antelopes another shot with a first down and 15 on the Wolverine 38 yard line.
Springlake-Earth kept the Antelopes from capitalizing, however, as they forced Whiteface to turnover on downs on the Wolverine 34 yard line four plays later.
It was the Wolverines’ turn for bad luck, though. Antelope Auscar Gandara downed Slade Beerwinkle, creating a fumble that was recovered by Whiteface’s Brighton Scoggins on the Wolverine 19 yard line.
Jeremiah Rendon found Scoggins open on first down and 15 for a 19 yard touchdown and a 20-8 lead after Castaneda’s kick. Four minutes, 14 seconds remained in the first half.
Springlake-Earth’s next drive ended in a seven yard touchdown run from Gallegos at the 2:56 mark.
Whiteface took over on their own 17 yard line and moved the ball to the 26 yard line before disaster struck. A fumble from Rendon was recovered on the Whiteface four yard line.
That set up a four yard pass from Gallegos to Roel Fuentes for a 24-20 Springlake-Earth lead with just seconds left in the first half.
The Wolverines stopped Whiteface at the Springlake-Earth three yard line as time ran out in the half.
The Wolverines had the ball to open the second half, but were stalled on their own 33 yard line. Whiteface took over and got to the Springlake-Earth two yard line before turning over on downs.
The Wolverines were forced to punt on their next possession, but Whiteface had no luck either, turning over on downs on their own 17 yard line.
Springlake-Earth gained just three yards on the first two plays, then Beerwinkle found Dereck Rosalez open for a 14 yard touchdown and a 32-20 Wolverine lead with 52 seconds left in the third quarter.
Springlake-Earth pinned Whiteface back on the 20 with a kick into the end zone, but a 43 yard pass from Rendon to Borunda gave the Antelopes a first down and 15 on the Wolverine 17 yard line. Whiteface ended the drive with a 15 yard touchdown from Rendon to Kauffman as the fourth quarter opened. The Antelopes now trailed 32-28.
Whiteface forced a punt from Springlake-Earth again, but then Beau Brewer fumbled on the Antelope 31 yard line.
The Wolverines’ next drive ended with a 25 yard touchdown pass from Beerwinkle to Fuentes. Arare Jarimio missed kick gave Springlake-Earth a 38-28 lead with 7:50 left in the game.
Whiteface took over on their own 18 yard line and marched downfield until they got to the Springlake-Earth one yard line, where Kauffman again did the honors.ACastaneda kick made the score 38-34 for the Wolverines with 5:12 left in the game.
Springlake-Earth’s next drive started on their own 33 yard line and ended with a 10 yard touchdown run by Fuentes for a 44-36 lead with 3:41 left in the game.
Kauffman returned the Wolverine kick this time, to the Whiteface 27 yard line. The Antelopes hammered down to the Springlake-Earth 15 yard line where Rendon found Scoggins open to cut the lead to 44-42 after Castaneda’s kick failed.
All that remained was for the Wolverines to run out the clock. That is, until Beerwinkle fumbled on third down and 12 yards with 47 seconds left.
Antelope Joel Fortner recovered the fumble on the Springlake-Earth 34 yard line. The Wolverine defense stiffened, but the Antelopes moved down to the 18 yard line where Rendon hit Jeremias Chavez for six yards and a lateral to Borunda for 12 yards and the final score the game.
Castaneda’s kick was good and the Whiteface defense held for the 50-44 win.
Gallegos was 4-for-11 passing with 81 yards and a touchdown. Beerwinkle was 3-for-5 for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Jarimio had an 11 yard pass.
Gallegos had 15 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Fuentes had six carries for 38 yards and a touchdown. Beerwinkle had minus 29 yards on eight carries.
Fuentes had three catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Gavin Gonzales had two catches for 42 yards.
Rosalez had two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Tanaro had an 11 yard catch. Jarimio had three punts for 121 yards.
The Wolverines start district play on Friday when they host the Anton Bulldogs. Game time is 7:30 p.m.