The last time the Lowry High School football team hosted a regional playoff game, the current squad was in elementary or middle school in 2012.
The Buckaroos erased that streak this year, finishing fourth in the Northern 3A and earning the No. 4 seed.
Lowry, playing in the postseason for the second straight year, hosted Spring Creek on a cool crisp Friday night. The Buckaroos beat the Spartans 21-20 in the regular season in September.
In would not go Lowry’s way the second time around, as Spring Creek won a low-scoring battle 21-7 to end the Buckaroos’ year at 6-4.
Spring Creek will now play Churchill County in Fallon on Friday and Fernley will host Truckee in the other regional final in the Northern 3A.
“We just couldn’t get things going,” said LHS coach Taua Cabatbat. “We came out sluggish and couldn’t get the offense going. They are a good team and will keep the ball from you with their running game.”
Spring Creek ate up much of the first-quarter clock, as Lowry went three-and-out on it first two possessions. The Spartans held the ball for more than five minutes on its initial drive, but saw the possession end at the Lowry 12-yard line with a fumble.
The Buckaroos were pinned inside their 10-yard line after the turnover, but could not pick up a first down. The drive looked to keep going, as Chance Huitt was knocked on a punt. However, the call was just running into the kicker and not roughing.
Spring Creek took advantage of a short field and a pass interference penalty on Lowry to take a 7-0 lead with 1:59 left in the first quarter.
Jefferson Guthrie capped off the 55-yard drive with a 1-yard run. Guthrie scored all three of the Spartan touchdowns on the night.
The Buckaroos entered Spartan territory for the first time on their next drive on the strength of their running game. However, the drive ended with a fumble.
Spring Creek then chewed up over six minutes after getting the ball back and drove 71 yards to lead 14-0. This time Guthrie broke free on fourth-and-one and scored from 12 yards out to lead 14-0 at halftime.
Lowry got back in the game early in the third quarter after taking over after a Spring Creek fumble. Jace Mentaberry kicked started the 58-yard drive with a 13-yard run. On the same play, the Spartans were called for face mask penalty.
Moments later, Huitt connected with Jordan Parker to the Spring Creek 6-yard line and Anthony Peterson finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the gap to 14-7 with 7:37 left in the third quarter.
“We came out after halftime and kicked it in gear and got that turnover,” Cabatbat said. “We were able to score, but could not keep the momentum going. It was just a tough night for us.”
After missing the start of the next drive, Guthrie came back on the field for Spring Creek to lead a 57-yard drive. He ended the six-minute possession with a 6-yard run, which proved to be the final points of the night.
Lowry turned the ball over on its next possession with an interception and saw its final two drives end with downs.
“It was still a good year for us,” Cabatbat said. “I want to give a shut out the seniors. This is the second year in a row to get to the playoffs and they helped start our run last year. It was great ride and the gave it their all. Bottom line — it sucks right now. The message is now buy in and let’s keep it going.”
