Tigers roll past Greenwood in second half, 42-14

Snyder’s execution in all three phrases led to an easy victory against Midland Greenwood for homecoming.

The Tigers trailed 14-7 midway through the second quarter before scoring 35 unanswered points en route to a 42-14 rout of the Rangers at Tiger Stadium Friday.
Snyder snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 3-2 on the season before next week’s non-district finale at Shallowater. The Tigers had lost back-to-back games to Monahans and No. 9 Sweetwater at home.
“When you have good execution in all three phases (offense, defense and special teams), a team is going to be difficult to beat,” Snyder head coach James Polk said. “The players knew that we could move the ball and all we needed to do were the little things. We didn’t have many penalties and the players believed that they could get the job done.” 
The Tigers had a season high 561 total yards — 261 rushing and 300 passing. Snyder forced the Rangers into four turnovers — three fumbles and one interception. Andres Medina blocked a punt in the third quarter.
“The offensive line played great,” Polk said. “An offense doesn’t get a first down or score every time you run the ball. We got in better situations on second down with more success on first downs. Jaden (Zamora) played through an injured shoulder. The line did a good job opening holes for him.”
Zamora rushed 16 times for 177 yards and scored two touchdowns, including an 83-yard run.
Abram Smith caught seven  passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
“I would not have been able to do it without good blocking,” Zamora said. “The linemen made their blocks and got good blocks from the outside receivers. We played four quarters and kept the momentum going.”
Zamora admitted his shoulder was hurting, but he tried to put it out of his mind and play for the team.
“I was trying to play through pain for the team,” he said. “Our line works hard every day and got the job done for this game.”
Polk said before the game that the goal was to start fast. Even though the Tigers did not accomplish that goal, they controlled the final three quarters.
“We have been a second half team all year,” Polk said. “That’s a testament to what these players do during the offseason. They kept fighting and never gave up. The score late in the first half gave us momentum and we pulled away in the second half.”
Greenwood drove 70 yards on nine plays to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Fabian Madrid caught an 18-yard pass from Ben Brockman and Stace Bell ran for a first down at the Snyder 47. Three plays later, Eric Rojas caught a 12-yard pass from Brockman for a first down at the 29.
Brockman scored on a 29-yard run.
The Tigers started the next drive at their 26. Zamora’s 43-yard run on fourth-and-one gave Snyder a first-and-goal at the Greenwood 9.
However, the drive stalled when the Rangers held on fourth down at the 1.
Greenwood threatened to take a 14-0 lead, but Chris Depaz intercepted Brockton’s pass at the Ranger 10.
The Tigers drove 90 yards on 14 plays to tie the game. Tate completed two first down passes and Zamora’s 11-yard run moved the ball to the Greenwood 35. Two plays later, Tate’s 16-yard keeper gave the Tigers a first down at the 19.
Tate ran for five yards and then passed 12 yards to Smith for a first-and-goal at the 2. Snyder tied the game on a 3-yard pass from Tate to Taylor Munkres.
Greenwood responded  with an 11-play, 69-yard drive with Brockton scoring on a 7-yard run with 6:17 left in the first half to give Greenwood a 14-7 lead.
The Tigers didn’t take long to answer. Tate gained three yards before completing a 58-yard touchdown pass to Munkres.  After the missed extra point kick, the Rangers led 14-13.
Greenwood threatened to increase its lead and had a first-and-goal at the Snyder 7 on the next series. But a fumble stopped the Rangers’ momentum.
On the ensuing drive, Tate completed passes to Munkres and Jackson on third-down plays to move the chains. Tate then hit Smith on a 65-yard touchdown pass with 39 seconds left in the first half. Tate ran for the two-point conversion to give Snyder a 21-14 lead.
After a three-and-out to start the third quarter, the Tigers regained possession when Brandon Chester recovered a fumble on a punt return at the Greenwood 46.
Zamora capped the drive by running 29 yards for a score with  9:26 left in the quarter. Jarrett Reneau’s kick increased the lead to 28-14.
Snyder didn’t score after Medina’s blocked punt, but the play helped the field position situation.
“We didn’t have the block on, it just happened,” Medina said. “I knew that he was going to the left and jumped that way. The ball hit my hand and I went after the ball. I tried to scoop it up with my hand in a cast and then decided to just fall on the ball.”
Snyder put the game away on a four-play, 62-yard drive after forcing a Greenwood punt. Jackson’s 36-yard catch on second down moved the ball to the Ranger 23.
A holding penalty moved Snyder back 10 yards, but Tate hit Smith on a 29-yard completion at the Greenwood 2. Tate then hit Smith for the touchdown.
Reneau’s extra point kick increased the lead to 35-14 with 11:46 left in the game.
Zamora scored on an 83-yard run for the final Snyder touchdown later in the fourth quarter.
“Every game is important,” Polk said. “Good teams bounce back from losses. The last two games helped us to understand what we needed to do better. The defense played well and they deserve a game ball. They played together and swarmed to the ball.”
In other games involving District 3-4A Division I teams, Brownwood defeated Burkburnett, 50-14. Stephenville lost to Alvarado 42-27 while Liberty Hill held off Abilene Wylie, 13-6. Graham squeezed past Big Spring, 13-10.