Lake View Falls Just Short in District-Title Bid Against Andrews

SAN ANGELO, TX — The district-title drought will continue for at least one more season for the Lake View Chiefs.

Lake View had its chances Friday to win the program's first district championship in 21 years, but the Chiefs came up just short in a 35-28 loss to longtime rival Andrews at San Angelo Stadium.

Lake View had a potential game-tying drive stall midway through the fourth quarter, and Andrews’ running game proved too difficult for the Chiefs to stop.

Lake View scored with 3:09 remaining on a beautiful 31-yard touchdown pass from Chris Alvizo to freshman Andrew Young to pull within 35-28, but the Chiefs couldn't get the ball back as Andrews ran out the clock.

It was the 19th consecutive win for Andrews in the series, but this year felt like it might finally be different.

"It's hard, you know. We battled hard and fought until the very end, but the mistakes got to us," Alvizo said. "I'm glad we were able to get here. It shows growth. Week by week, we showed what we could do, and we made a big difference for this school."

Even with the loss, Lake View will take a 7-3 record into the playoffs and the No. 2 seed from District 3-4A Division I.

The Chiefs’ first-round game will be at 7 p.m. Thursday against Lampasas (8-2) at San Angelo Stadium.

"We're showing that we can fight and showing that we can go to the very end, no matter what," Alvizo said. "Next week, we're coming back. We're coming back for sure."

Lake View led 7-0 and 14-7 in the first half, but Andrews answered each time, and the Chiefs trailed 20-14 at halftime. 

Lake View scored on the opening drive of the second half to regain the lead at 21-20. Andrews, however, responded with a 16-play, 75-yard TD march that took up nearly the rest of the third quarter.

The Chiefs appeared to have made a key fourth-down stop, but a penalty for 12 men on the field completely changed the momentum of the game as Andrews scored three plays later for a 28-21 lead.

Lake View's offense didn't answer, but its defense gave it one last chance when Tyrone Turner recovered a fumble at the Chiefs' 15-yard line with 7:13 remaining.

Yet Lake View's high-powered offense — which was held under 33 points for the first time all year — wasn't able to capitalize and turned the ball back over on downs.

Andrews scored the very next play on a 32-yard TD run by Jaesean DeBouse with 4:42 remaining to all but clinch the title.

"Heading into (this game), it was exciting. It was something new, something that hadn't been done in a while," Alvizo said. "The ending's not what we wanted, but we've got next week."

Lake View running back Izaiah Rios had 18 carries for 129 yards and two TDs. Alvizo was 22-of-35 passing for 222 yards and two TDs, both of which went to Young. Nick Leyva had six catches for 73 yards.

Andrews' strong rushing attack was led by DeBouse, who had 16 carries for 230 yards and two TDs. He also had a TD catch.

Beau Hudson added 13 carries for 142 yards and a TD.

Andrews (5-5) will play Burnet (3-7) next week.

Andrews 35, Lake View 28

Andrews   7   13   8   7 - 35

Lake View   7   7   7   7 - 28

First Quarter

LV - Izaiah Rios 21 run (Rios kick), 8:43 remaining

A - Jaesean DeBouse 6 pass from Collin Kelley (Dante Lozano kick), 1:32

Second Quarter

LV - Andrew Young 15 pass from Chris Alvizo (Rios kick), 11:37

A - Beau Hudson 80 run (Lozano kick), 11:22

A - DeBouse 85 run (kick failed), 5:59

Third Quarter

 LV - Rios 3 run (Rios kick), 8:13

A - Jase Mendoza 5 run (Mendoza run), :33

Fourth Quarter

A - DeBouse 32 run (Lozano kick), 4:42

LV - Young 31 pass from Alvizo (Rios kick), 3:09