SAN ANGELO, TX — The Lake View Chiefs football team has been close the last two weeks, losing their games by a combined nine points.
Head coach Hector Guevara is hoping to see his team break through this week and earn its first win.
The Chiefs host Lamesa at 7 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Stadium in their last home game before three straight games on the road.
Lake View had its chances last week in a 40-34 loss to Snyder. The Chiefs rallied from a 34-21 deficit in the fourth quarter, sparked by a 92-yard touchdown drive that got them back in the game.
Snyder scored with 55 seconds remaining, however, to claim the win.
Guevara said Lake View’s three turnovers proved to be too much to overcome.
A week earlier, the Chiefs had five turnovers in a 30-27 loss to Fort Stockton.
“We’ve just got to take care of the ball,” Guevara said. “You can’t have that many turnovers and expect to win football games. We’re very fortunate the kids have battled to stay in games. We’ve just got to continue what we’re doing and be disciplined and do our jobs offensively and defensively.”
Despite the turnovers, Lake View’s offense has shown the ability to be explosive.
Sophomore quarterback Chris Alvizo showed glimpses of his potential in the second half of Lake View’s season opener after he replaced injured senior Auston Perez.
Alvizo then started against Snyder and was sensational despite an INT and a fumble. He threw for 353 yards and four TDs on 15-of-29 passing, and he rushed for 90 yards and a TD on 13 carries.
Guevara declined to elaborate on Lake View’s QB situation moving forward, saying only that, “Chris is our quarterback right now, so that’s who we’re going with.”
Guevara said he’s been pleased with the effort and toughness he’s seen from Alvizo, and he likes the dual-threat dimension he brings to the offense with his ability to make plays through the air and on the ground.
“He’s a gamer. He goes out there and gives it his all, and that’s all we ask,” Guevara said. “He’s still gotta get better with his reads and spacings and stuff like that, but that’ll grow through time.”
Lake View had a trio of receivers with big games last week. Francisco Ramirez had five catches for 149 yards and a TD, Chris Rodela had four catches for 83 yards and two TDs, and Braylon White had three catches for 79 yards and a TD.
Abram Rivera led Lake View’s defense with 10 tackles, while fellow linebackers Isaac Monreal and Conner Williams had eight and seven tackles, respectively.
Ramirez had seven tackles and an interception as a defensive back.
Guevara pointed out the Chiefs’ defense has been put in some difficult positions due to turnovers giving opponents short fields.
“I think the coaches are doing a good job getting them ready,” Guevara said. “It’s hard when you get the ball in your end to stop people. Momentum changes. The kids have got to do a better job tackling, but other than that, they’re doing a decent job.”
Lake View and Lamesa are both off to 0-2 starts. Lamesa lost 55-27 to Littlefield in its season opener and 74-42 to Muleshoe last week.
Lake View routed Lamesa 49-8 in its season opener last year, but the Golden Tornadoes may have the offensive firepower to make it a game this time.
Lamesa's QB is freshman Daniel Ramos, the son of the head coach. He has thrown for 630 yards and eight TDs in his first two starts, completing 41 of 67 passes with two INTs.
Benito Barrioz leads the Golden Tornadoes’ ground game with 32 carries for 171 yards.
Lamesa’s first-year head coach is Efrain Ramos, who won a Class 4A Division I state title last year as the defensive coordinator with Anna.
“Coach Ramos has done a good job bringing in his schemes, and they’re very explosive offensively. They rally to the ball defensively, so it’s going to be a great test again,” Guevara said.
More football coverage
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: