Mustang rally falls short against Vega, 21-13

The Olton Mustangs’ varsity football team fell short in their comeback efforts on Friday night, as they fell to the Longhorns in Vega, 21-13, for their first loss of the season.

With the loss, the Mustangs close out the pre-district schedule with a mark of 4-1.

The Mustangs totaled 237 yards of offense, which included 248 passing yards and -11 rushing yards.

The Longhorns wasted no time getting started on offense in the first quarter, as Joaquin Segovia, took the first play from scrimmage 74 yards to the house for the first score of the game with 11:41 remaining in the opening quarter. The PAT by Kylan Richardson was good, making the score, 7-0.

Olton’s first offensive possession was derailed on second down, when Baldo Garcia fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Longhorns with 10:58 to go in the first quarter. Vega would drive 37 yards, capping off the possession with a 14-yard touchdown run by Reese Robins with 8:12 left to play in the first quarter. The PAT by Richardson was good, making the score, 14-0, in favor of the Longhorns.

Olton took over at their own 35yard line for their second offensive possession, but had nothing going, as they went three-and-out, punting the ball away with 6:49 to play in the quarter. Vega would add another score before the end of the first quarter, as Jose Silerio took a 15-yard run into the end zone to cap off the 64-yard drive with 2:48 to play in the quarter. The PAT, again was good by Richardson, making the score, 210, as the first quarter came to a close.

The Longhorns were threatening again to begin the second quarter, as they faced a fourth and 14 from the Mustang 14-yard line, however, the Olton defense would force a turnover on downs, as a pass from Segovia was broken up by Jacob Escobar with 5:32 remaining in the first half, giving the Mustangs the ball at their own 15yard line.

After an incomplete pass on first down, senior quarterback, Logan Lassiter, hit senior, Brennon Huguley, on a slant for a first down, moving the ball up to the Olton 26-yard line. A swing pass to the right was caught by Osvaldo Rodriguez, but he was stopped after gaining just a yard on first down. On second and nine, Lassiter dropped back and found Joel Olivas Jr., over the middle for a solid pick-up to the Olton 41yard line, moving the chains for the Mustangs.

Huguley caught a two-yard pass on first down, and on the next play, Lassiter hit his target to move the ball across midfield, but the ball was fumbled and recovered by Paul Lopez. However, after further discussion from the refs, it was ruled that the ball carrier was down by contact, spotting the ball at the Vega 49-yard line.

Two plays later, Lassiter dropped back and heaved a pass toward the far sideline that found Olivas Jr., for a 49-yard touchdown with 2:46 to play in the half. The PAT was good from Lassiter, cutting the Longhorn lead to, 21-7. Olton recovered a Vega fumble with 36 seconds left to play in the half, but they could not capitalize, as the score stood going into the locker room at halftime.

Olton got the ball first to begin the second half, as Garcia took a run up the middle for a yard on first down. Two plays later Lassiter connected with Jake Soliz, for a first down up to the Olton 31-yard line. Lassiter found Soliz again on the next play, moving the ball up to the Olton 44-yard line to move the sticks again for the Mustangs.

Olivas Jr., caught a six-yard pass on first down and after an incomplete pass on second down, Lassiter got the Longhorns to jump offsides on third down, giving Olton a fresh set of downs at the Vega 45-yard line. Two plays later, Lassiter connected deep over the middle with Soliz for a 45-yard touchdown pass with 9:53 remaining in the third quarter. The PAT was no good, leaving the score, 21-13.

The comeback would fall just short for the Mustangs, as they fell on the road to Vega, 21-13.

Lassiter finished the game 1836 passing for 248 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Olivas Jr., led the receiving attack for the Mustangs with seven catches for 118 yards and one score, while Soliz tallied six catches for 101 yards and one touchdown. Brennon Huguley added four catches for 27 yards.

Defensively, Alan Vasquez recovered a fumble for Olton.

The Mustangs will open district play on Friday with a road game against Post to take on the Antelopes.

Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.