After picking up three straight wins at home, the Lowry High School football team experienced its first road test of the season with a trip to Sparks High School this past Friday.
Lowry, coming off a bye week due to the South Tahoe game being postponed jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, only to hold on in the final seconds to beat the Railroaders 39-36 to improve to 4-0 on the season.
The Buckaroos took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown on their way to a 21-0 lead. On Sparks first drive of the night, the Lowry defense came up big with a interception that turned into eight points after the 2-point conversion on a 9-yard run by Jesse Jeronimo.
With two minutes left in the first quarter a 44-yard pass by Joseph Vankuiken gave the Buckaroos a 21-0 advantage after the missed extra point.
Sparks found the end zone three minutes into the second quarter, capping off a long drive and then cut the deficit to seven points at 21-14 late in the first half. Sparks then intercepted a Lowry pass and scored on a 39-yard run to make the score 21-14 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Sparks handed Lowry excellent field position after turning the ball over on downs at the 20-yard line. The Buckaroos quickly scored and led 27-14 after the failed 2-point conversion.
After a Lowry turnover late in the third quarter, Sparks completed a 47-yard drive eight seconds into the fourth quarter and trailed 27-20 after missing the 2-point conversion.
Lowry looked to have the contest sealed up with a pair of touchdowns midway through the fourth quarter to lead 39-20.
Just 80 seconds after the Buckaroos increased the lead to 19 points, the Railroaders were back in the endzone and trimmed the gap to 39-28 after making the 2-point conversion.
The Buckaroos were forced to punt on the next possession and the Railroaders scored with 2:19 to play and trailed 39-26.After another Lowry punt, Sparks had an opportunity to win the game but those hopes ended with an interception by Lance Brenigar.
Lowry is back home Friday to host Elko at 7 p.m.
