Lopez bows in final game

It was late in the second half and Lopez trailed Crescent 14-21 when Jordan Smith took the hand-off from quarterback Bubba Smith. The line made a hole and Jordan weaved his way through it, a stutter step this way, then that way.

Then there was open field ahead and Jordan brought it home, from more than 15 yards out.

The rain soaked crowd was ecstatic, huddled under umbrellas and tarps. But not for long, as a flag came out on the play, calling the touchdown back. Offensive holding was the verdict.

That would be the Lobos' last trip into the red zone this season.

The rain was coming down in sheets, all but quelling both teams' passing game. And when it came to running the ball, Crescent had the advantage, touting a line with a 215-pound tailback, a 260-pound fullback and a 210-pound running back.

Although the size advantage ultimately got to the Lobos, they played tough-as-nails defense against the Loggers. In the closing moments of the fourth quarter, Lopez still trailed by a touchdown and Crescent was just inches behind the 10 yard line with a first down. The Lobos defense was about to make one of its best stands of the year, against some heavy artillery. The Loggers inched forward over the next three downs and then converted on the fourth. Crescent was now just inches from the end zone and planning to muscle its way through the smaller Lopez line.

In a display of pure grit, the Lopez line didn't give an inch on the next three downs, but on the Loggers fourth attempt (their eighth from within 11 yards) they crashed through.

Coach Larry Berg was more than proud of his defense as they gave very little to the Loggers in those final plays. "That was just incredible," he said.

By the time the Lobos had possession, there was just moments left in the game. Lopez bowed 14-28.

The Lobos lost their first game of the season, but not without challenging the Loggers and creating a few highlight of their own.

Lopez pressured the Loggers quarterback all day long. Asa Potts had three solo sacks as did senior Jon Elings.

Elings made both of the Lobo touchdowns, one on a 28-yard pass and the other on an 11-yard pass, both from Bubba.

Jordan added a two point conversion.

Senior Bryce Jardine made the Loggers rethink their passing game when he picked off their first attempt of the day. "He did a marvelous job," said Berg.

Senior offensive guard/linebacker Jared Holland was a huge asset for Lopez both offensively and defensively during the Crescent game. 'He was in the trenches making it happen," said Berg.

It was the last game of the year for four seniors, Bubba, Elings, Jardine and Holland.

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