LUBBOCK, TX — It was a special night for the Monterey Plainsmen at Plains Capital Park on Thursday night. Not only was it Senior Night, but Monterey also had a chance to take down the No. 1 team in their district, the Abilene High Eagles. Monterey battled back and forth with the Eagles in the first half before they took control in the final two quarters. Monterey moved into a tie for first with a 31-17 win over Abilene High.
Monterey came out of the gates ready to play on Thursday night. After the two teams traded touchdowns, Abilene High took the lead with a field goal in the 2nd quarter. Monterey refused to stay down, however, and added a touchdown and field goal before the half. Both teams headed to the locker rooms with Monterey ahead, 17-10.
Up by seven points in the second half, Monterey’s defense needed to show up to secure a victory. Despite a few explosive plays that allowed Abilene High to move the football, for the most part, Monterey kept the Eagles in check. Kyree Baxter was a force on offense and defense in the final two quarters. He had more than one sack, pressured the quarterback on numerous occasions, and never let Abilene High finish off drives on the Plainsmen’s half of the field.
On offense, after Monterey forced a punt on the opening possession in the 3rd quarter, the Plainsmen marched down the field for another touchdown. Des Lewis snagged a quick pass from Arrington and sprinted 45+ yards down the field.
However, Abilene High managed to drag him down at the 4-yard line. In a scary moment that completely drained the life out of the stadium, Lewis did not get back up. During the play, the way the Abilene High tackled Lewis, the defender rolled up on his legs. Des was severely injured in the play. Medical personnel carted Lewis-Calderone off the field to well wishes and cheers for a speedy recovery.
Monterey seemed to have ignited a fire after that. Kyree Baxter scored on a 4-yard scamper on the ensuing play to put the Plainsmen up 24-10.
Abilene High narrowed the Plainsmen’s lead back to one score with an explosive play on the ensuing drive, but Monterey could not be denied on Thursday night. The offense milked the clock deep into the 4th quarter to set up another Kyree Baxter touchdown to put the game out of reach. Abilene High had one final opportunity to climb back into the game, but Baxter and the rest of the defense would have none of it.
Lubbock Monterey handed Abilene High its first district loss of the season, 31-17. Just two seasons ago, the Plainsmen finished with an 0-10 record. Now, under the tutelage and leadership of Head Coach Judd Thrash, the Plainsmen are in a three-way tie for first place in their district. Thrash received a Gatorade bath from his players for this achievement, and the Plainsmen celebrated with the home crowd.
Thrash gave his thoughts on his team’s performance against Abilene High and their overall growth as a team after the game. Check out that interview below:
With the win on Thursday night, Monterey has all but locked up one of the playoff spots for the 2024 postseason. The Plainsmen look to secure at least a share of the district championship on the road against Amarillo Caprock next Thursday, November 7. Kickoff in that matchup is slated for 7 p.m.
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