The Monterey football team did what it needed to do to give itself a chance to win the district title.

The Plainsmen held Abilene High to one second-half score in a 31-17 victory Thursday at Lowrey Field. Along with Kyree Baxter’s killer run, that was enough to hand the Eagles their first district loss.

Monterey, which started the season 1-4, has won four in a row. With a win at Amarillo Caprock in next week’s regular season finale, the Plainsmen would secure a share of the District 2-5A Division I crown. Abilene has already staked its claim and will have an open date before the playoffs.

“I think our kids have always believed,” Monterey coach Judd Thrash said. “We’ve worked too hard not to believe it. These guys will tell you, I work them pretty hard. … It’s amazing how far they’ve come. The main thing about these guys is that “They learned how important their team is, their teammates and how much they love each other.”

Kyree Baxter closes out victory at Monterey

Baxter ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in the second half to maintain Monterey’s lead at halftime. After Abilene closed to within 24-17 late in the third quarter, Baxter completed five of 12 plays on a 70-yard drive. The senior capped the possession with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Baxter recorded a sack and a quarterback hurry on the ensuing drive. He then ran five straight plays after a turnover on downs to earn the victory.

Thrash credited the offensive line for powering an offense without leading edge rusher Dez Williams. Deuce Moore also saw increased action, adding 48 yards on the ground.

Plainsmen turn up pressure on Abilene sophomore

The Eagles (7-3, 5-1) dealt with their own notable absence. Second-year quarterback Tristan Beal made his third straight start in place of the injured Brayden Henry. Beal was solid but couldn’t stave off the Plainsmen’s onslaught after halftime.

Monterey (5-4, 4-1) had five sacks in the second half, including one of Moore on Abilene’s final drive. This forced a fumble and gave the Eagles fourth and 26.

“We went after that quarterback,” Thrash said. “We knew he was a sophomore and we knew we had to put pressure on him. Deuce Moore, Jaivyth Cruz and Kyree Baxter put that pressure on him.”

Abilene coach Mike Fullen praised Beal, who completed 65.2 percent of his passes and did not commit a turnover. The Eagles will host their open house after 10 straight games.

“We’re a better football team than this one,” Fullen said. “It’s my fault. We just didn’t do our best tonight. Open week comes at a good time. We need to heal, rest. It’s exhausting (playing 10 in a row), yes, but we” I will never use that as a crutch. We won’t let this beat us twice.

Monterey is in contention for the No. 1 seed if it takes care of Caprock. It would also give the Plainsmen their first district title share since 2006.

“There are going to be ups and downs in football,” Thrash said. “Don’t go too high, don’t go too low. Stay the course. That’s football and that’s life.”

DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I

Monterey 31, Abilene High School 17

Abilene 7 3 7 0 — 17

Monterey 7 10 7 7 — 31

RATING SUMMARY

First trimester

MON – Cam Taylor 25 pass from Luke Arrington (Gio Cardenas kick), 6:41

ABI – Ryland Bradford 30 passes from Tristan Beal (Naim Segura kick), 4:49

Second trimester

ABI – Field goal by Segura 23, 11:45

MON — Landon Hiebert pass 69 from Arrington (Cardenas kick), 10:21

MON — Cardenas field goal 41, 0:00

Third trimester

MON – Kyree Baxter run 4 (Cardenas kick), 2:51

ABI – Bradford 70 pass from Beal (Segura kick), 2:33

Fourth trimester

MON – Baxter run 2 (Cardenas kick), 8:00 a.m.

TEAM STATS

First attempts: (A) 13; (M) 18

Rushes-Yards: (A) 21-49; (M) 42-173

Passage:(A) 217; (M) 203

Comp-Att-Int: (A) 15-23-0; (M) 12-20-0

Punts-Average: (A) 2-44; (M) 2-14.5

Lost fumbles: (A) 1-0; (M) 0-0

Penalties-Yards:(A) 10-79; (M) 5-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

PREVIOUS : Abilene High, Ethan Joyner 6-24, Tristan Beal 9-14, Ryland Bradford 3-14, M’Aujehl Aboso 1-4, Dristain Payne 1-(-1), team 1-(-6). Monterey, Kyree Baxter 23-151, Deuce Moore 16-48, team 1-(-6), Cam Taylor 1-(-7), Gio Cardenas 1-(-13).

PASSAGE: Abilene High School, Beal 15-23-0—217. Monterey, Luke Arrington 12-20-0—203.

RECEPTION : Abilene High, Bradford 5-130, Camp Churchill 5-54, Bryson Perez 4-27, Adrian Munoz 1-6. Monterey, Taylor 6-86, Landon Hiebert 3-71, Des Lewis 1-34, Dallas Trevino 1-8, Braunzay Render 1-4.

FILES: Abilene raised 7-3, 5-1; Monterey 5-4, 4-1.

This article was originally published in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Kyree Baxter powers Lubbock Monterey football past Abilene High