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Lubbock Monterey: A familiar foe

By
November 13, 2005

I guess that Abilene High has played Lubbock Monterey in football more times than any other team in the last 10 years including teams from our district. Monterey historically speaking has started the regular season off slowly. The Eagles of Abilene High are a huge reason because they have spanked Monterey often in the regular season.

This season was no exception as the Eagles defeated Monterey here in Abilene the first game of the season by a score of 37-14. Abilene High was searching for their identity back in week zero and Monterey was searching for a quarterback after their starter went out with an injury prior to that first game.

During the current playoff stretch being enjoyed by each of these fine programs, the results have been a tad bit different. In three previous playoff contest, the Monterey teams have beaten Abilene High twice while the Eagles have bested them once.

Monterey over the years have been committed to the run when on offense using the wishbone formation that everyone used to run. There are many options that one can use when the wishbone is executed properly. Hardly anyone use this formation now. Monterey does and they run it very well. They will pass but not often.

Looking back at this season’s earlier match up between these two schools, Lubbock ran the ball 41 plays while passing 12 times. That is a lot of passing for Monterey. Their success comes from running the ball. They rushed the ball for 236 yards that game. Out of the 12 pass attempts, they completed only 3 passes for 29 yards. Stephen Powell of the Abilene Eagles defense intercepted two passes that night making him the top receiver for Monterey that night.

The advantage of running the wishbone offense is the multiple options it causes the other team to defend. It also allows them to make long , time consuming drives that eat up time on the clock and keeping the ball out of the hands of the opponent’s offense. Sounds good on paper but it doesn’t always work. Option teams usually have more turnovers. That was not the case back in week zero. To their credit, Monterey only had one fumble but the Eagles did recover it. Also time of possession favored the Abilene High squad that night as the Eagles controlled the ball 28 minutes and 47 seconds while Monterey had the ball only 19 minutes and 13 seconds.

Offensively, the key to victory for Abilene High is to score early and often and force Monterey to throw the ball more than they want to. Abilene High built up a 21-0 lead and then carried a 28 -7 lead into the half during the earlier meeting this season. Defensively, the Eagles must limit the yards Monterey is able to gain with their rushing attack.

We know that Abilene High has gone on to win ten additional games since the week zero encounter with Monterey. What have the Plainsmen done since then? Their overall record of 6 and 5 includes losses to a good Class 4A school and Odessa Permian of our district. They lost to Amarillo High and San Angelo Central in District 2-5A play. Their victories came against El Paso Franklin and Midland High before district play and Lubbock Coronado, Lubbock High, and Amarillo Tascosa in district.

Their last win was over El Paso Coronado in Bi District. The score was 73-14. They are hitting on all cylinders and look forward to having the opportunity to knock off the undefeated Eagles in Lubbock Friday night 7:30 PM at Lowery Field.

GO AND SUPPORT YOUR ABILENE HIGH EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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