The game turned in the third quarter. Abilene running back Boss Hines scored early in the period, and the Eagles ripped off a 28-0 run the rest of the way, turning a close game into a rout. The loss drops Lubbock High to 1-3 on the season.
Johnson's return had the home crowd on its feet. It just wasn't enough to hold off an Abilene team that flipped the script after the break.
For Westerner fans, the halftime lead makes the final score sting more. Lubbock High looked like it had answers early, then had none once Abilene found its footing. The Westerners need a bounce-back if they want to avoid a losing record heading deeper into the season.
They will not have much time to dwell on it. Lubbock High travels across town next Friday to face Frenship, a rivalry matchup that gives them an immediate shot at win number two.