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Lamar Consolidated had its opportunities in consecutive weeks, ones that would have left it atop the District 23-4A standings if not for mental mistakes.
One week after several miscues led to a 7-3 loss to Foster, the Mustang defense stepped up once again against city rival Terry. But the offense could not convert on two visits to the Ranger 1-yard line and fell victim again, 7-3, at Guy K. Traylor Memorial Stadium.
Lamar Consolidated's defense held Terry to just 151 yards total offense and nine first downs, but its own offense struggled as well, generating just 209 yards.
"That was a show of two very strong, exceptional defenses," said Terry head coach Tim Teykl. "They had a good scheme and pulled out all the punches. They mixed it up, but our defense responded."
Much like Foster the week before, special teams set the state for Terry's only scoring drive of the game.
A 17-yard punt return by Eugene Wright gave the Rangers excellent field position at the Mustang 29-yard line. A 13-yard run by James Bowsier and consecutive passes from Antoine Arboleda to Bowsier covering 11 and five yards - the first on a shuttle pass on third-and-10 - put the ball inside the 10.
On second and five at the 9-yard line, Bowsier took a toss right, got a devastating lead block from Johnson and cruised into the end zone to put the Rangers up 7-3 at the 3:14 mark of the third.
Lamar made its final push starting at its own 20 with 7:26 remaining. The Mustangs used 13 plays, much on the athletic abilities of backup quarterback Ashton Smallwood, who hit on seven consecutive passes on the drive, to reach the Ranger 1 with a minute to go.
But an illegal substitution penalty coming out of a time out on second down pushed the Mustangs back to the six. Three straight incompletions, including a pass to Nelson Dent in the end zone that was knocked away at the last second by defensive back Jonas Carter on fourth and goal, turned the ball over to Terry.
Lamar first-year head coach Ronald Patton, visibly distraught after the game, refused to comment.
Terry's 12-quarter run of not allowing a point came to an end at the 6:43 mark of the first quarter.
Lamar took its opening possession of the game and marched 62 yards on eight creative plays - started with a 15-yard shuttle pass from Randsom Clark to D.D. Goodson and highlighted by a 35-yard run by Johnate Odom.
Lamar got the ball to the Ranger 1-yard line. But a procedure penalty moved the ball back to the six and Terry's defense stiffened, forcing a 20-yard field goal by Juan Ramirez for a 3-0 lead and the only points of the first half.
Neither team could crack the scoreboard again, despite two Mustang fumble, an Arboleda interception and a Christian Cruz field goal attempt that was blocked by Robert Williams.