Leyton Football Ends Season

Leyton's Warrior Football team had a strong opening to the season, reeling off three big wins in a row until a Homecoming loss caused by a missed extra point against Anselmo-Merna derailed the Warriors' season.

Since that loss, the Warriors have struggled with four lopsided losses in a row, and looked to get back on the winning track on Friday, October 14, against visiting Hyannis.

Leyton received the ball to start the game, and after losing yards on their first three plays, they pulled off a fake punt and pass to bring them from mid-field all the way down to the Hyannis 20 yard line. Moving the ball towards the end zone, the Warriors were set to score with a first down inside the 5 yard line. But a fumbled exchange gave the ball to Hyannis and stopped the Warriors' drive. Leyton's defense was able to hold and force a punt from the Hyannis end zone, and started their next drive with good field position. But on a fourth down and three, the Warriors threw an incomplete pass to give the ball back to Hyannis. Hyannis drove, aided by a pass interference penalty, and then scored on a 25 yard pass to get a 6-to-0 lead with about two minutes left in the first quarter.

Leyton returned the ensuing kickoff to their 35 yard line, and senior Dawson Juelfs broke open a big run down the sideline to start the drive, putting Leyton at the Hyannis 11 yard line. However, a hand off to senior Chance Carter took a bad turn when he cut around the end and dove into the end zone, but right before he crossed the line he was hit and fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Hyannis.

As the second quarter wound down, neither offense was able to gain any traction. With around two minutes left in the half, Hyannis was finally able to get the ball to mid-field on a pass completion, but a penalty brought it back and forced a punt on fourth down and 13. A short punt gave Leyton good field position in Hyannis territory with 1:10 left in the half, and after Carter ran the ball down to the 7 yard line, a penalty brought back to the 26 yard line. Carter then caught a pass over the middle from Scout Gamble, but fumbled the ball and Hyannis recovered with 31 seconds left in the half. Again the Longhorns got the ball out to mid-field, and again they were flagged to stop their momentum. Hyannis complete a long pass to the 25 yard line as time expired in the half.

Hyannis received the ball to start the second half and drove deep into Leyton territory, but a run resulted in a fumble in the end zone which was recovered by Leyton for a touchback. Hyannis then made a tackle in the end zone for a safety, and moved the score to 8-to-0. Hyannis took the ensuing kick back to mid-field, but were unable to drive and punted away. Leyton then drove the ball and senior Scout Gamble found senior Levi Weyerts in the end zone for a touchdown pass, and a successful two point attempt knotted the score at 8-to-8. Both team’s offenses then struggled again, with neither team able to put together drives. Leyton moved the ball deep into Hyannis territory, but turned the ball over on downs with 2:31 left in regulation.

Hyannis moved down the field with senior quarterback Max Kostman hitting receivers for solid gains to move Hyannis into scoring position. On fourth and three on the 23 yard line with 38 seconds left Kostman ran for a first down, then spiked the ball to stop the clock. With 10 seconds left, Kostman connected with sophomore Kutter Accord for an 11 yard touchdown pass to go up 14-to-8. On the ensuing kick off, Leyton tried a desperation backwards pass to keep the game alive, but it was intercepted and returned for a touchdown to give Hyannis the 20-to-6 victory.

Leyton ends their season with a 3-and-5 mark, with all of their losses, and no wins, in district play.