Del Valle wallops Lions to end season

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

A brisk northern front blew a fine ash dust across Lion Stadium and into the eyes of some loyal Lockhart fans on Friday night. The biting wind also brought with it a bitter loss for the Lockhart Lions (4-6) who fell hard, despite their efforts, to the Del Valle Cardinals (6-4) for a season ending final score of 35-7.
“I’m

proud of these young men, said Head Coach Les Goad. “They came out strong in the second half. They gave it a good fight.”
Terrance Waldon rushed for 110 yards on 22 carries to lead Lion rushing during the game. According to the Austin American-Statesman, Waldon remains the top ranked rusher in District 26-AAAA with 142 carries for a total of 923 yards. Waldon is ranked fifth in the Statesman’s Central Texas High School Football Statistics.
Richard Ybarra followed Waldon in rushing with 51 yards on 12 carries. Marcus Officer rushed for 18 yards with six carries. Casey Butler had only two carries for a total of 8 yards while Kerry Lampkin also had two carries for a gain of 3-yards. Kennard Lakes had two carries as well but was unable to gain any yardage. Alex Joseph and Demetrius Joseph both had only one carry. A. Joseph rushed for 4 yards. D. Joseph rushed for one yard. Dustin Garza had two carries for a loss of 25 yards.
The game started with Del Valle getting a first-and-ten on the 36-yard line at the beginning of the first quarter. After a Del Valle false start and a couple of no gain plays, the Cardinals gave the ball to Lockhart for a first-and-ten. A Lion false start and a few short plays later, the Lions fumbled for a Cardinal first-and-ten on the Lockhart 32-yard line.
With 6:57 left on the clock, the Cardinals got the first touchdown of the night. The Lions missed at least three different opportunities to tackle the rushing Cardinal. The extra point was good for a score of 7-0. Within the span of four and a half minutes, the Cardinals scored another touchdown and an extra point for a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter progressed much the same as the first had. The Lions had a hard time moving the ball while the Cardinal defense was relentless in their efforts to stop the Lions in their tracks.
It was not until the middle of the second quarter that Del Valle scored another touchdown. The extra point kick was good and the Cardinals had a 21-0 score to defend. They did not stop there. The Cardinals moved fast and kept their momentum. They took over the ball at the 42-yard line after the Lions fumbled a kickoff return with about four minutes left in the first half.
Touchdown number four was called back because of a flag on the play. The flag was for holding against Del Valle. The punt that followed came with flags for illegal blocking. At 3:14 the punt was downed at the 4-yard line for a Lion first-and ten. By 2:17, the Cardinals recovered a Lion fumble at third-and-ten.
At 1:56, Del Valle had a first-and-ten on the Lion’s 39-yard line. By 1:45 they had a first-and-ten on the 29-yard line and they called a time out. A blocked pass turned into a personal foul for roughing the passer and a flag for being off sides, both against the Lions. The penalties helped the Cardinals gain their fourth touchdown with 48 seconds left to spare in the half. The first half ended with a score of 28-0.
There was no scoring for either team during the third quarter. The best football played throughout the course of the night as far as defense was concerned came in the third. Bad snaps and interceptions were present, but solid defensive plays outnumbered the mistakes. Third quarter ended with a 28-0 score.
The final quarter of the season came down to an eleventh-hour push by the Lions to put points on the board. Lockhart succeeded in scoring when Lampkin rushed in on a first-and-goal with 10:43 on the clock. The extra point was good for a 28-7 score.
An onside kick gave the Cardinals a first-and-ten on the 48-yard line. By 8:36 the Cardinals had a fourth-and-one that went nowhere. The Lions took a first down on the 41-yard line and moved forward a bit until a third-and-sixteen when Garza was taken down forcing the Lions to punt.
With 5:14 left in the game, David Moore recovered from a bad snap. He reached out for the potential fumble, grabbed the football and kicked it out as far as the 26-yard line where the Cardinals took their first down. Moore’s grace under pressure saved the Lions from what could have been an additional touchdown for the Cardinals.
Del Valle did go on to score yet another touchdown ending the quarter, the game and the season with a score of 35-7 on the final game.
“Our last game was the best one we’ve played.”said Coach Goad. “Our boys need to keep their heads up and remember the highlights of this season.”
Goad went on to thank all the players and their coaches for the hard work that went into their season. He expressed his appreciation for every person that contributed to the success of the team. He was genuinely touched by the efforts and the response of all his players and coaches.
“I’m proud of their attitude and their leadership,” said Goad as he made his way through the crowd of Lion parents and siblings who were there in support of their Lions while enduring the chill of the night and the loss.
“The hurt is going to go away. I’m proud of every one of them” he said.
agarza@post-register.com