wildcats fall to wall in regional play-off, 56-21

  • Littlefiled safety, Nate Castaneda (5), picks off Wall’s Landon York, during the first half of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
    Littlefiled safety, Nate Castaneda (5), picks off Wall’s Landon York, during the first half of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
  • Littlefiled senior receiver, Gabriel Villanueva (32), catches a thirddown pass from Chip Green springting down the Littlefield sideline for a big play, during the third quarter of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
    Littlefiled senior receiver, Gabriel Villanueva (32), catches a thirddown pass from Chip Green springting down the Littlefield sideline for a big play, during the third quarter of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
  • Littlefiled senior receiver, Bradyn Redman (15), makes a one-handed catch over the middle sprinting past Wall defenders on his way to a 45-yard touchdown catch, during the fourth quarter of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
    Littlefiled senior receiver, Bradyn Redman (15), makes a one-handed catch over the middle sprinting past Wall defenders on his way to a 45-yard touchdown catch, during the fourth quarter of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
  • Littlefiled junior receiver, Zane Champion (11), catches a 37-yard touchdown pass from Chip Green, during the first quarter of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
    Littlefiled junior receiver, Zane Champion (11), catches a 37-yard touchdown pass from Chip Green, during the first quarter of the Wildcat’s, 56-21, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Play-off game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
  • Littlefiled senior linebacker, Caden Reyes (4), makes a tackle near the line of scrimmage, during the fourth quarter of the Wildcat’s, 5621, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Playoff game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
    Littlefiled senior linebacker, Caden Reyes (4), makes a tackle near the line of scrimmage, during the fourth quarter of the Wildcat’s, 5621, loss to the Hawks in Sweetwater in the Class 3A Regional Playoff game. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)

    The Littlefield Wildcat varsity football team’s season came to an end on Friday in Sweetwater, as they fell to the Wall Hawks, 56-21, at the Mustang Bowl.

    With the loss, the Wildcats finish the season with a mark of 7-5 overall on the season.

    The Wildcats totaled 454 yards of offense, including 339 passing yards and 115 rushing yards.

    Wall won the coin toss and elected to on defense to begin the game. The Hawks would attempt an onside kick to open the contest, but it was covered by AJ Cantu, giving Littlefield the ball at their own 38-yard line to begin the contest.

    Littlefield stuck to the ground game on their first possession, as back-to-back runs from Chip Green and Ian Mendez moved the ball up to their 49-yard line for a fresh set of downs. But, the drive would stall out and on fourth and five, the Wildcats elected to go for it but the pass for Bradyn Redman was dropped for a turnover on downs with 8:32 left to play in the opening quarter.

    Wall took over at their own 46yard line as Thomas Leanos carried the ball on first down, taking it across midfield to the Wildcat 41-yard line for a first down. Landon York connected with Evan Boehle on first down for a threeyard pass and on the next play, York hit Briggs Jones on a swing pass to the right, as he took it down to the 24-yard line for another first down.

    Two plays later, York hit Lane Stansberry in the corner of the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 8:15 remaining in the first quarter. The PAT by Tyler Klinesmith was good, putting the Hawks in front, 7-0.

    Mendez took a hand-off from Gabriel Villanueva on the kick-return, taking it up to the 41-yard line, as the offense came back out for their second possession.

    Green connected with Redman on a pass to the right, as he took the ball across midfield to the 43yard line for a fresh set of downs. Back-to-back runs by Mendez set the Wildcats up with third and four from the 37-yard line. On third down, Green dropped back and hit Zane Champion streaking down the Littlefield sideline for a 37-yard touchdown with 7:12 to play in the quarter. The PAT from Adam MacDonald was good, tying the game, 7-7.

    Wall received the kick-off, but Gunner Garza was gobbled up by MacDonald and Nate Castaneda at the Hawks’ 20-yard line. Wall, though, would drive down the field, capping off the 80-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass, as York hit Reid Robertson, who made a one-handed catch for the score. The PAT was good, putting the Hawks back in front, 14-7, with 4:16 to play in the first quarter.

    The Wildcats were able to drive into Hawk territory on their next possession, but on fourth and 16 from the Wall 26-yard line, Green was sacked by Weston Scandolari with 1:02 remaining in the opening quarter.

    Wall would take over at their own 34-yard line, using back-toback runs by Leanos to take the game into quarter number two. The Hawks took the ball down near the red zone, but on second and long, York was picked off near the goal line by Nate Castaneda, who returned it 21 yards to their own 30yard line.

    The Wildcats, though, were unable to capitalize on the turnover, as they went three and out, punting the ball away from their own 27-yard line.

    Wall wasted no time responding after taking over at their own 35-yard line. Leanos picked up six yards on a first-down run, and on the next play, he carried it up the middle for a 59-yard touchdown run with 9:29 to play in the half. The PAT was good, pushing their lead to, 21-7.

    Wall would score again with 3:58 to play in the half, as Leanos broke loose around the left side for 68yard touchdown run followed by the PAT, making the score, 28-7, going into the locker room at halftime.

    Wall got the ball to begin the second half at their own 25-yard line after the touchback by MacDonald. The Hawks were able to take the ball into Littlefield territory at the 40-yard line, but on first down, they fumbled the handoff and it was covered by Ben Castillo for a turnover with 10:22 to play in the third quarter.

    Littlefield was unable to capitalize on the turnover and after multiple stops by both teams, Jones fielded a line-drive punt from Mendez and found a seam down the Hawks sideline for a 67yard punt return touchdown with 5:43 remaining in the quarter. The PAT was good, making the score, 35-7.

    Littlefield took over after the kick-off at their own 25-yard line, as Green kept it picking up twoyards on first down. Mendez carried it up the middle for two more yards on second down and on the next play, Green connected with Eizeah Coleman on the left side for a first down at their 39-yard line.

    The Wildcats would draw an il- legal procedure penalty, backing them up to first and 15, but two plays later, Green would find Villanueva sprinting down the Littlefield sideline for a huge gain into Hawk territory at the 38-yard line. Mendez picked up a yard on first down and on the next play, Green hit Redman on the right side, taking the ball down to the 10-yard line to set up first and goal.

    Two-plays later, Green would carry it up the middle for a fiveyard touchdown run with 2:23 to play in the quarter. The PAT from MacDonald was good, making the score, 35-14.

    With under a minute to play in the third quarter, Wall would find paydirt again, as York tossed a screen pass to Jones on the left side, who cut it up field for a 27yard touchdown. The PAT was good stretching the lead to, 42-14, with 39 seconds left in the quarter.

    The Wildcats would respond to open the fourth quarter, capping off a 72-yard drive with a pass over the middle to Redman, who highstepped into the endzone after making a one-handed catch in traffic with 10:43 to play in the game. MacDonald’s PAT sailed through the uprights, making the score, 4221.

    Wall would answer with backto- back touchdowns to close out the game, as Littlefield fell to the Hawks, 56-21, in the 3A-DII Regional Play-offs. Offensively, Green finished the game 24-36 passing for 339 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 23 carries for 46 yards and a score.

    Mendez led the rushing attack with 21 carries for 65 yards.

    In the receiving game Redman hauled in nine catches for 160 yards and one touchdown, while Villanueva chipped in four catches for 77 yards and Champion tallied three catches for 47 yards. Barrio caught three passes for 21 yards, while Coleman caught two passes for 15 yards and Mendez added one catch for 10 yards. McNeese finished with two catches for nine yards.

    Defensively, Reyes led the team in tackles with 11, including eight solo tackles and one for loss, while Castillo tallied 10 tackles, including four solo and two for loss and a fumble recovery. Redman contributed five tackles, including three solo and one for loss and a forced fumble, while Castaneda tallied three tackles and an interception.