FINAL (Littlefield 18, Post 13)
LITTLEFIELD – Littlefield was able to run out the clock and secure a 18-13 victory, thanks to big gains by Will McDowell and Cheeto Richardson and an untimely penalty by Post. The Wildcats through an incomplete pass on fourth down with about 1:30 left, but the Antelopes’ Luis Duran was called for pass interference.

So the Wildcats finished a second straight perfect run through District 3-2A, while the Antelopes have to settle for second place.

McDowell and Richardson were the stars, with McDowell rushing for 57 yards and all three Littlefield TDs, and Richardson adding a team-high 131 rushing yards.

Giles Dalby rushed for a game-high 156 yards and a score for Post.

FOURTH QUARTER
Littlefield fumbled the ball away at midfield on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Post proceeded to march all the way to the 13-yard line. But the Wildcats’ defense came up big again, with Will McDowell sacking Clint Windham on fourth down.

Littlefield now has the ball, and an 18-13 lead, with less than five minutes left.

END OF THIRD QUARTER
Just when Littlefield seemed to take all the momentum by stretching its lead to 12 points late in the third quarter, Post has stormed back.

The Antelopes scored on the third play of the ensuing possession, when Clint Windham caught the defense sleeping with a 68-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Perez. Reed Williams’ extra-point kick made it 18-13, which is where we stand at the start of the fourth quarter.

THIRD QUARTER
Post threatened to tie the game again on the first possession of the second half, with a 43-yard run by Giles Dalby helping the Antelopes drive into the red zone. But they bogged down from there, and a fourth-down pass by Clint Windham was intercepted by Josh Merrifield at the goal line.

Two plays later, a 47-yard completion from Tracy Huseman to Raymond Sansom put Littlefield in Post territory, and the Wildcats then turned back to their running game. And immediately after a 17-yard run by Cheeto Richardson, Will McDowell scored his third touchdown of the night from 4 yards out.

The Wildcats went for two points but couldn’t convert, so they settled for an 18-6 lead with 4:25 left in the third quarter.

HALFTIME
Littlefield reclaimed the lead with one second remaining in the second quarter, when Will McDowell scored from a yard out on fourth-and-goal.

McDowell’s second touchdown run capped a quick, eight-play drive that was set up by McDowell’s kickoff return to the Post 47-yard line. Cheeto Richardson runs of 25 and 9 yards put the Wildcats inside the 10, and McDowell needed four runs from there to punch it in.

But Armando Silvas’ extra-point attempt bounced off the upright, leaving Littlefield with a 12-6 lead at the break. The teams have missed two kicks apiece – three extra points and a 44-yard field-goal attempt by Post’s Reed Williams – and made none.

Aside from Littlefield’s late score, the opening half was pretty much even. Both teams gained eight first downs, and the Wildcats had 127 total yards compared to 104 for the Antelopes.

Post’s Giles Dalby leads all rushers with 83 yards and a TD on 11 carries, while Richardson had 76 yards on just five carries for Littlefield. McDowell has 27 yards on the two scores on 10 rushing attempts.

SECOND QUARTER
The Antelopes just answered, marching 73 yards on 11 plays behind some impressive runs by Giles Dalby. The big senior had gains of 14 and 20 yards during the drive, and he capped it with a 5-yard burst up the middle.

But just like Littlefield, Post couldn’t make the extra point. So we’re tied 6-6 late in the first half.

SECOND QUARTER
The Wildcats have struck first, scoring about three minutes into the second quarter on a 7-yard run up the middle by Will McDowell. Slotback Cheeto Richardson set up the score with a 38-yard scamper on third-and-6 from the Post 45.

The extra-point block was blocked and nearly returned by Post’s Easton Mathis, though, so Littlefield leads 6-0.

FIRST QUARTER
It’s been a defensive struggle so far as the teams are locked in a scoreless tie after one quarter.

Littlefield, which is averaging more than 40 points and 400 total yards per game, is clearly missing injured running back Patric Barrio. The Wildcats have only three first downs and have punted the ball away on both of their possessions.

Post drove to the Littlefield 12 on its opening possession, but after two big losses, Reed Williams came up short on a 44-yard field-goal attempts. The Antelopes picked up only two first downs in the opening quarter.

PREGAME
The Friday night lights are shining bright here at Wildcat Stadium, where Post and Littlefield are about five minutes away from kicking off.

It’s a regular-season finale, and it also will decide the District 3-2A championship. The host Wildcats sit atop the district standings at 6-0, while the Antelopes are right behind at 5-1. Because league rules do not recognize co-champions – instead giving the nod to the head-to-head winner – only the winner of this game can claim the crown.

Littlefield is shooting for its second straight district title, and Post last won a league championship in 2004.

Both teams boast bruising running games and physical defenses, but the Wildcats will be without their workhorse in the backfield. Junior Patric Barrio, one of the area’s leading Class 2A rushers with nearly 1,000 yards this season, is out with a knee injury suffered against Denver City last week.

Barrio’s absence – he usually gets close to 30 carries a game – could swing this game in Post’s favor. Still, I’m expecting a good one.

Stay tuned.