Turnovers result in Marble Falls football losing to Kerrville Tivy

CAPTION: Marble Falls defensive coordinator Ryan Craven talks to the defense. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School football team lost to Kerrville Tivy 28-21 Sept. 16.

The Antlers (2-2, District 13-5A Division II) used a turnover on downs with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter to drive about 65 yards for the winning touchdown with 1 minute 23 seconds left in the contest. The winning touchdown came on a run when it looked like the running back lost control of the ball before he crossed the plain. The official who was the Marble Falls sideline where the runner ran called it a touchdown. After a short conversation with two others, the score stood. Tivy scored the two-point play for the seven-point lead.

The Antlers defense did the rest by hitting a Mustang ball carrier so hard that he fumbled. Tivy recovered and ran out the clock.

“We’re a young team learning how to win,” Marble Falls head coach Brian Herman said. “We’re so close. (My players) have to see it more than we do, they have to experience it. It’s all right there. We were a step short here and there. What I told them is (the) non-district doesn’t matter as long as we’re getting better.”

Trailing 20-14 at halftime, the Mustangs (2-2, District 13-4A Division I) scored on the opening possession, going 77 yards in 10 plays that culminated in a two-yard run by junior halfback Jamie Castillo for a 21-20 lead with 4:33 left in the third quarter. The drive was vintage slot-T: eating up a little more than seven minutes and the Mustangs staying on schedule without having to overcome an offensive penalty.

Then Tivy fumbled on the kickoff, which was recovered by Marble Falls senior Eli Black on the Antler 24-yard line. Senior tailback Caleb Vidal ran for 16 yards on third-and-12. But two plays later, the Mustangs fumbled the ball and Tivy recovered and survived the scare to eventually put together the game-winning drive led by senior quarterback Kale Lackey.

Lackey hit a receiver for a long gain in triple coverage where he slid under the ball to make the catch to get the Antlers’ game-winning drive going. When Lackey was given designed runs that allowed him to run or pass, he was very productive. When he stood in the pocket, the Mustangs sacked him numerous times.

As for his own squad, Herman said leadership is an important trait that must step forward.

“It’s still a young team still searching for its identity,” he said.

Marble Falls travels to Fredericksburg (1-2, District 14-4A Division I) at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Battlin Billie Stadium, 1107 S. Highway 16.

FIRST HALF

A late score in about a minute has Kerrvile Tivy leading Marble Falls 20-14 at the half.

The Antlers (1-2, District 13-5A Division II) scored in a minute to break a 14-14 tie when senior quarterback Kale Lackey found senior receiver Treves Hyde on a 44-yard touchdown with 1 minute 27 seconds remaining in the half. The ball hit the receiver perfectly, barely over the outstretched arms of the defensive back. The extra point was missed but Tivy led 20-14.

Marble Falls (2-1, District 13-4A Division I) got the ball but turned it over on downs.

Tivy scored first, marching 62 yards on the first possession of the game that ended when Lackey found senior receiver Lake Audrain on a 15-yard scoring pass for a 7-0 advantage. That capped a nine-play, 62-yard drive.

Marble Falls answered with a 10-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that ended when junior quarterback Kody Smith found senior Brian Beltran on a 21-yard pass to tie the game at 7-7.

The Antlers broke the tie when senior running back Landon Barnett threw to junior receiver Stormy Rhodes on a 13-yard halfback option pass and a 14-7 lead. That ended a 10-play, 48-yard drive.

Again the Mustangs answered thanks to a six-yard run by sophomore Kole Becker who ended a six-play, 60-yard drive to tie the contest at 14-14 midway through the second quarter.

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