Lopez strong from start to finish as Gators take Henderson Bowl

Markus Varner was the main beneficiary of Lopez’s big night as he caught eight passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Though the Gators fell behind 14-10 late in the first quarter, they took over in the second on a 6-yard scoring run by Larry Norman, a TD pass frpm Lopez to Albert Lake and another from Lopez to Kyler Chavez to go ahead 30-20 at halftime.

Green Valley scored 14 quick points to open the second half, and appeared to have control when Lopez again hit Chavez with a 25-yard TD to pass to put the Gators ahead 44-20 with 8:19 left in the third quarter.

But the Wolves scored two touchdowns over the next 8:13 and cut the deficit to 44-36 on a 33-yard scoring pass from Antraye Johnson to David Garza.

The Green Valley defense squelched the rally, holding Basic scoreless in the fourth. The offense, meanwhile, posted two more touchdowns, sealing it on a 5-yard scoring run by Jose Martinez with 1:01 remaining in the game.

Larry Norman rushed 28 times for 225 yards and a touchdown to help Green Valley, and Chavez had four receptions for 81 yards.

Johnson led Basic with 234 yards passing, and another 125 yards on 22 carries. Garza compiled 162 yards on five receptions.