The last time the Lowry High School football team started 3-0 was 2013, when the Buckaroos reached the 3A state semifinal before falling to Faith Lutheran.
Six years later and the Buckaroos are 3-0 again after a thrilling 21-20 win over Spring Creek on Friday night in Winnemucca.
“It was a hard-fought game. We expected Spring Creek to come down and do what they did,” Lowry head coach Taua Cabatbat said. “I think that both teams played well and we were fortunate to come out on top. Jace (Mentaberry) kept his cool when he needed to and got the extra point that we needed to win the game tonight. I am pleased with the way that the boys are responding to the start of the season. When we need them they show up. Starting the season 2-0 has not happened in a long time; these kids are confident in what they are doing, but they know that from here on out is a test; that is how we prepare, we study each opponent each week and do our best to game plan for what we have coming up.”
Miscues cost both teams early in the first quarter. Spring Creek fumbled on its opening possession of the night only to see Lowry give the ball right back.
On the Buckaroos' first play from scrimmage, Chase Milligan intercepted a Chance Huitt pass and retuned it 20 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Spartan lead.
Lowry (3-0, 2-0 Northern 3A) was driving late in the first quarter again, but a fumble stopped the drive deep in Spring Creek territory.
Lowry tied the game in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Huitt to Kevin Warren.
Matthew Writer pushed the Spartans in front 14-7 with 2:13 left in the second quarter on a 16-yard run.
However, Lowry capped off a 54-yard drive, as Anthony Peterson scored on a 4-yard with 22 seconds left in the first half to tie the game at 14.
Peterson had 28 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns in the victory for the Buckaroos.
Miscues were key once again in the third quarter, with Spring Creek fumbling a punt.
Lowry recovered the fumble and scored moments later on a 3 yard run by Peterson. That gave the Buckaroos a 21-14 advantage with 6:56 left in the third quarter.
The Buckaroos looked poised to get the ball back on the next Spartans' drive but a face mask penalty kept the drive alive.
Spring Creek eventually converted a fourth-down play and scored on a 3-yard run to bring the score 21-20. The Spartans missed the extra point, which proved to be the game-decding play.
Lowry's defense shined in the fourth quarter, stopping a pair of late drives by Spring Creek.
Chance Huitt tossed a touchdown pass and an interception in the win.
Lowry hosts Fernley on Friday at 7 p.m. The Vaqueros are 1-1 in the Northern 3A. Fernley beat Truckee 41-14 and lost 42-35 to Churchill County (Fallon).
