Tigers hold off late Stephenville rally, 45-42

Senior Jose Juarez’ return to the Snyder lineup on Friday made an impact against Stephenville at Tiger Stadium.
Juarez, who was playing for the first time in five weeks, rushed for 32 yards and caught three passes for 47 yards and one touchdown as the Tigers held off Stephenville 45-42 to take sole possession of first place in District 3-4A Division I.
Snyder (5-3, 2-0 in district) leads Wylie, which defeated Brownwood, 7-3, by one-half game. The Tigers will play at Wylie on Friday.
Juarez had not played since he was injured against Monahans in September.
“I was not expecting to do much in my first game back,” Juarez said. “It was a good test for my shoulder, which is fine. I never dreamed of playing this type of the game.”
Snyder head coach James Polk said having Juarez back benefitted not only the offense, but the team.
“Jose is our best all-around player,” Polk said. “I’m glad that he’s back and able to play.”
Senior quarterback Logan Tate said Juarez made a big difference for the offense.
“Jose is the best athlete on the field,” Tate said. “It was good to have him back on the field. He is a big part of the offense.”
The Tigers, who benefitted from two defensive touchdowns, controlled the first half and built a 28-7 lead. After Stephenville pulled to within 14 points, Snyder answered with 17 points to take a 45-14 halftime lead.
“The offense put points on the board during the first half and we hung in there during the second half on defense,” Polk said. “We played well enough to win, but didn’t dominate. I’ll take a win anytime, but we must put teams away when we have the opportunity.”
Snyder didn’t score in the final two quarters, but made the plays on the final drive to run out the clock. On the final series, Tate completed a 19-yard pass to Taylor Munkres and later ran for seven yards to give Snyder a first down and ran out the clock.
“We didn’t finish two drives in the second half when we had an opportunity to score,” Tate said. “We needed to finish those drives. On the last series, I told the offense in the huddle we needed one first down and the best drive of the game. On the second third-down play, all I wanted was the first down.”
Stephenville took the early lead when it scored on it first possession. Easton Jones hit Josh Nowell on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 8:48 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers responded by driving 78 yards on eight plays to tie the game at 7-7. Dralon Jackson had receptions of 16 and 36 yards to set Snyder up at the 2-yard line.
Tate scored on a 2-yard run and Jarrett Reneau’s kick tied the game.
Snyder’s defense then came up with the big play. A snap over Jones’ head rolled into the end zone and was recovered by Josh Flores for a Snyder touchdown with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
Snyder  was able to take a 21-7 lead before the end of the quarter. Brendan Garza broke through the middle of the line and ran 69 yards for a touchdown.
The Tigers gained a three-touchdown advantage early in the second quarter. Tate connected on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Juarez. Following Reneau’s fourth straight extra point kick, Snyder led 28-7.
Later in the quarter, Stephenville’s Garrett Crew returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown, but a holding penalty negated the score. The Yellowjackets took over on offense. 
Mason Yoes scored on a 2-yard run to cut the deficit to 28-14.
Snyder started its 17-0 scoring run to end the first half when Tate scored on a 52-yard run.
On Stephenville’s next possession, Reneau intercepted a Jones pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown and a 42-14 lead. With 1:19 left in the half, Reneau kicked a 43-yard field goal to increase the Snyder advantage to 45-14.
Stephenville scored two touchdowns during the third quarter.
The Yellowjackets drove 74 yards on its first possession and Nico Madrid scored on a 2-yard run.
The Tigers threatened to score on the next possession, but the drive stalled at the Stephenville 11. Reneau missed a 26-yard field goal.
Stephenville marched 80 yards on its next possession, capped by Matthew Chapman’s 13-yard touchdown run. Jones hit Nowell for the 2-point conversion to cut the deficit to 45-29 heading into the fourth quarter.
Snyder marched down the field again and had a first-and-goal at the 4 before Stephenville recovered a fumble.
The Yellowjackets drove 97 yards on 13 plays. Nowelll caught a pass in the corner of the end zone with 8:27 left in the game to cut the Snyder lead to 45-35.
Stephenville pulled to within three points when Madrid scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 71-yard drive.
Snyder recovered the onside kick and was able to run out the final 2:39 on the clock.
“Our goal was to beat Stephenville and take the pressure off as far as getting to the playoffs,” Polk said. “I told the players that the district championship is in their hands. We hope to win at Wylie and then have an opportunity for the district title against Brownwood in the final game.”