Sahuaro escapes with 21-18 win at Sahuarita

August 21, 2015 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Sahuaro 21, Sahuarita 18

 

Tucson Sahuaro (1-0) pulled out 21-18 victory over Sahuarita (0-1) as predicted but, as the score indicates, it was a difficult one.

Sahuarita is our preseason No. 4 team from Division IV. The Mustangs were 12-1 last year with a tough 36-33 loss to eventual state champion Mohave Valley River Valley in the semifinal round that kept them from a shot at a state title. But a few things have changed.

A new coach and the loss of QB Calvin Jenkins (2,074 yards passing, 27 touchdowns) and RB Geovan Neuser (1,189, 21 TDs) left a few question marks. The fact that Jenkins also rushed for 716 yards and added 10 TDs on the ground just added to the concern.

David Rodriguez took a coaching job in California and that opened the door to longtime assistant Rodney Day. Day took on Sahuaro in the opening week without Jenkins and Neuser and battled the D-II power to the end. The Mustangs were one or two plays away from what many would have called an upset but a Mustang win would not have been much of a shocker considering the personnel Scott McKee had to replace at Sahuaro.

All-purpose standout Derik Hall led the Cougars to a 9-2 season last year but he took his 127 yards rushing and two touchdowns a game to NAU. In all, Hall was responsible for almost 200 yards a game on offense and he teamed up with Omar Lloyd and Quandre Yancy to give the Cougars 1,300 yards and 13 TDs receiving. The trio also terrorized on defense and they combined for almost one interception a game.

Playing an opponent two divisions below you is almost a no-win situation but McKee found a way to comeback from a third-quarter deficit to secure the win.

Sahuaro scored first on a fumble recovery by linebacker Andrew Filiberti and held on for the 7-0 lead until Dylan Dutton tied things up in the second quarter on an 11-yard run with a bit over three minutes left in the first half. Dutton almost scored again as time expired in the first half but he was stopped short of the goal line.

Dutton finished the game rushing 16 times for 125 yards.

Gabriel Hernandez gave Sahuarita a 10-7 lead on a 30-yard field goal midway through the third period.

Sahuaro took a 14-10 lead after senior QB Stephen Miller (7-14, 114) found Ernie Loreto on a 41-yard pass. Alec Valenzuela gave Sahuaro a 21-10 lead with just under five minutes left in the game on a 20-yard dash but Damion Hill (11-20, 122) hit Kamron Lilly on a 50-yarder to cut the lead down to 21-18 after a 2-point conversion by Hill with four minutes left.

Sahuaro was able to run the clock out to preserve the win.

Sahuarita missed two field goals, gave up the early fumble for a touchdown and just missed on a score as time expired in the first half. There is no time to focus on what might have been for the Mustangs because the team hosts No. 5 Tucson Salpointe Catholic next week. Another D-II powerhouse.

Sahuaro hosts rival Tucson Sabino next Friday night. Look for the D-III Sabercats to come up big after watching game film. This game should be a hot ticket.