Cubs end season with loss in bi-district.

by Eric

The Cubs entered the first round of playoffs against the Slaton Tigers on Friday night looking to avenge an earlier loss to Slaton in which the Cubs fell 13-12. It was a defensive battle in the first quarter as neither team could get in the end zone. Both teams were able to get the ball into the opponents side of the field but penalties and incomplete passes stalled the drives for each team.

It was in the second quarter that the Tigers broke the scoreless with a rushing touchdown. A flag on Slaton during the extra point caused them to re-kick, the kick was successful however making the score 7-0. During the Cubs next possession, Pete Maroquin, Malachi Garcia, and Jeremiah Mendez worked to move the ball all the way across the field to the 5-yard line, but the ball was intercepted in the end zone, giving the ball back to Slaton. The tigers then marched 75 yards down the field scoring a touchdown as well as a successful 2-point conversion, leaving the score at 15-0 Slaton. The Cubs next possession included multiple incomplete passes, as well as two flags called on the Cubs, leading them to punt and give the ball back to Slaton. On the 3rd play of the drive safety Zavier Garcia intercepted a pass, getting the ball back for the Cubs just in time for half time with the Tigers still on top 15-0.

At the start of the second half, the Cubs looked to gain some momentum as their opening kick was not covered by the Tigers so the Cubs were able to fall on the ball inside Tiger territory. They could not get anything going however and turned the ball back over to Slaton. Teams alternated possessions in the 3rd quarter before Slaton scored again on a 58-yard touchdown bringing the score to 21-0. The Cubs quickly bounced back when on their next possession as Malachi Garcia ran an impressive 72-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 21-6. Each team would go 3 and out on their next possesions ending the 3rd quarter with the Cubs down 2 touchdowns.

The fourth quarter started with another Slaton Tiger touchdown and an unsuccessful two-point conversion making the score 27-6. The Cubs next possession was riddled with flags on the Cubs and was brought to an end when Slaton intercepted the ball and scored a touchdown bringing the score to 33-6. The Cubs answered with a touchdown pass from Malachi Garza to Jaden Martinez to bringing the score to 33-12.

On the Cubs next kickoff to Slaton, The Cubs attempted an onside kick, Slaton caught the ball and ran for a touchdown and a two-point conversion, leaving the score at 41-12. The clock ran out, ending the game with a score of 41-12 for Slaton.

It was a tough loss for the Cubs who have not been able to get passed the bi-district round of the playoffs since 2013. The Cubs will now set their sites on basketball which begins on November 26th in Snyder. (Story and pics by Morgan Minshew)

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