Despite loss, Tigers qualify for Class 4A playoffs

Even though Snyder lost to Brownwood 60-16 in the regular season finale Friday night, the Tigers qualified for the Class 4A Division I football playoffs.
Snyder (5-5, 2-2 in District 3-4A Division I) will be the district’s No. 3 seed and play the No. 2 seed from District 4-4A.
Wylie defeated Big Spring 23-6 to clinch a share of the district championship and the No. 1 seed. Stephenville and Brownwood will also represent the district in the playoffs.
“I’m happy that we will be going, but I prefer not to be limping going into the playoffs,” Snyder head coach James Polk said. “We still have life left. We just need to get back to work and improve. I still believe in our game plan. It just didn’t work against Brownwood because we didn’t execute well.”
The Tigers never came up with an answer to slow down the Brownwood running game, which finished with 460 yards on 37 carries.
Lion quarterback Grant Lewis rushed for 172 yards  and one touchdown and completed 9-of-16 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
“Brownwood is a good team and executed well,” Polk said. “I like to get the Tigers to that point one day. I still believe we are going in the right direction. We have the players to do the job.”
Jose Juarez ran for 115 of Snyder’s 181 yards. The passing game was ineffective with only 45 yards on seven completions.
“The coaches will go back to work trying to fix (the passing game) before the playoffs,” Polk said. “It may mean taking a look of changing some personnel. We completed the second season and anything can happen in the playoffs. We will be ready to play.”
After trading touchdowns in the opening quarter, Brownwood took control midway through the second quarter. The Lions scored 18 unanswered points before lightning delayed the game.
After play resumed, Brownwood scored and took a 33-8 lead into halftime.
The two teams exchanged third-quarter scores before the Lions outscored Snyder 21-0 to close out the game.
“The second half was one of the worst performances I’ve seen out of us during my four years here,” Polk said. “But the Tigers are not done yet. We will take a break this weekend and not practice Monday. We need to get Jaden (Zamora) and Leshun (Burns) back. (Luis) Cruz will be back for the playoffs. We had some big parts missing in this game, but that doesn’t mean the outcome would have been different.”
In the first quarter, Brownwood drove 69 yards on three plays to take the lead. Lewis set up the score with a 6-yard run. Later in the drive, Lewis hit Connor Howard for the score and ran for the 2-point conversion to give Brownwood an 8-0 lead.
On Snyder’s ensuing possession, Brownwood’s Carson Cloy recovered a Logan Tate fumble at the 29. Snyder’s defense held on downs to regain possession.
The Tigers marched 78 yards on 10 plays — aided by a roughing the passer penalty — to tie the game at 8-8. Also during the drive, Dralon Jackson had a 15-yard reception and Tate ran for 23 yards. Snyder moved inside the 10 on Brendan Garza’s 10-yard run.
Facing a fourth-and-goal at the 1, Jose Juarez scored with 1:58 left in the quarter. Jackson ran for the 2-point conversion.
The Lions took an 11-8 lead on its next possession when Aaron Jimenez made a 32-yard field goal with 11:15 left in the first half.
Following a Snyder punt, Brownwood had the ball at the Snyder 46. Harley Price scored on a 41-yard run with 8:20 left in the half. Price added the 2-point conversion to increase the lead to 19-8.
Howard’s 18-yard punt return gave Brownwood the ball at the Snyder 45 to begin its next possession. Brandon Diaz scored on a 19-yard run and Jimenez’ extra point kick gave the Lions a 26-8 lead.
Officials stopped the game with 4:27 left in the first half. After a 40-minute delay, the game resumed and Brownwood was able to increase its lead.
Howard caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Lewis with 28 seconds left on the clock. Jimenez’ extra point kick increased the Lions lead to 33-8 at halftime.
Brownwood struck quickly in the third quarter after recovering an onside kick. A 44-yard run by Diaz gave the Lions a first-and-goal at the 5. Gavon Jefferson scored on the next play.
Later in the third quarter, Snyder was able to get on the board. Starting at their own 17, Juarez broke two tackles on his way to an 83-yard touchdown run with 7:53 left. Tate ran for the 2-point conversion to cut Brownwood’s lead to 39-16.
Brownwood scored two touchdowns before the end of the quarter. Jefferson scored on a 10-yard run and Lewis had a 27-yard run.
Snyder trailed 53-16 going into the fourth quarter.
Brownwood’s final score came on Bruce Sterling’s 20-yard run with 7:01 left in the game.