Chiefs lose at River Road 14-12
The Friona Chieftains traveled to Amarillo River Road for their second game of the season. The Wildcats are a 3A team and both teams were looking for their first win.
The Chieftains scored in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead. River Road managed a score in the second quarter and took a 7-6 lead into halftime. The Chiefs again took the lead in the third quarter 12-7 but the Road scored in the fourth and led 14-12 late in the game.
The Chiefs were driving with less than a minute to play as Eddie Garcia was headed for the end zone but was hit hard at about the two-yard line. The hit caused a fumble that River Road recovered. Garcia suffered a concussion and sprained neck on the play and will be out at least a couple of weeks. He was taken by ambulance to Northwest Texas Hospital and was assigned to bed rest at home at least until mid-week before returning to school.
The blow finished the Chiefs’ chances to score and take the lead once again. Final score was Chiefs 12 River Road 14. In the first two games the Chiefs have scored five touchdowns but have yet to convert an extra point. Coach Mike Prokop has recruited Juan Martinez, a 5’7”, 130 lb sophomore soccer-style kicker to the team. “All he is going to do is kick extra points,” Prokop said. Jacob Osborn will continue the kick-off duties.
The Chiefs racked up 299 yards of total offense, 98 rushing and 201 passing to River Road’s 196 yards of offense. Quarterback Mason Loflin completed 13 of 30 passes for 201 yards and two interceptions. His longest was 33 yards. Receiving were Jose Zamudio 4 for 104 yards, Dallin Woods 3 for 53, Antonio Adame 3 for 19, Justin Rocha 1 for 14, Brad Stowers 2 for 11 yards.
Rushing stats: Eddie Garcia 7 carries for 60 yards, Michael Garcia 3 for 15, Omar Ramos 4 for 14, Jose Rocha 2 for 3, Brad Stowers 2 for 3, and Mason Loflin 7 for 3 yards. Rocha and Michael Garcia each had a rushing touchdown.
Coach Prokop named Jose Zamudio as Offensive Player of the Week. Through two games Zamudio has 7 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown and has returned a kickoff 32 yards.
Antonio Adame was named as the Defensive Player of the Week. In the first two games hChieftain running back Omar Ramos (18) e had 8 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles.
The Chiefs will host the Idalou Wildcats for the homecoming game Friday September 20. Crowning of the homecoming queen will take place in festivities before the game. That should start about 7 p.m. and kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Cargill will be serving free hamburgers, chips, and drinks prior to and during the game.
