Walker Smith is an Arizona State Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to Cover Cesar Chavez High School for AZPreps365.com

LAVEEN-- Cesar Chavez High School took one on the chin Friday night after the Desert Ridge Jaguars entered the Champions' stadium and trounced them 44-23.

Cesar Chavez came into this game already disadvantaged. Desert Ridge brought 74 players on its roster, while the Champions only had 23 active players. That number only dwindled as the game proceeded. 

“You play this game long enough, you’re gonna run into a team that’s bigger and more physical, and that’s what it was tonight,” said first-year Champion coach William Chipley. “They imposed their will, and we didn’t have enough ammunition to hold on.” 

The Jaguars received the opening kickoff and used 10:13 of the clock to march down the field. Senior Jordan Wilson capped off the pilgrimage to paydirt with a five-yard rushing touchdown. The Jaguars would go for two and convert it, making the score 8-0.

Wilson exerted his will throughout, rushing for 262 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Wilson's backfield mate Joshua Orona finished with 15 yards and a touchdown of his own. 

Cesar Chavez’s junior quarterback, Jorge Beltran, threw for 51 yards on 9 for 22 passing with a touchdown and an interception. 

Trailing 16-0, the Champions finally caught a break when Jaguar quarterback Major Wootan fumbled. Cesar Chavez recovered and Beltran put the Champons on the scoreboard by flipping  a four-yard touchdown pass to Christopher Madden early in the second quarter.

As both teams headed to the locker room for halftime, Cesar Chavez trailed 23-9. During the intermission, Beltran was doubled over on the bench and was examined by the team doctor. He would go on to play the second half with bandages and tape wrapped around his abdomen. 

Cesar Chavez quarterback Jorge Beltran encouraging his team as they start the second half. (Walker Smith/AZPreps365)

The Champions opened the third quarter with their most explosive play of the evening. Kezion Dia-Johnson returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, closing the gap to 23-16. 

Cesar Chavez battled as much as it could, but lack of depth and a slew of errors impeded the comeback. The Champions allowed three sacks and lost a Nate Pazon fumble early in the third quarter. 

“A lot of two-way kids getting banged up affects the game plan when you don’t have guys available,” said coach Chipley. 

Desert Ridge continued to impose its will on the ground. A 34-yard rushing touchdown from Wilson with 7:48 left in the third quarter made it a two-score game. Cesar Chavez would not close the margin.

With 7:32 remaining in the contest, coach Chipley inserted wide receivers Dia-Johnson and Madden at quarterback and ran each from the shotgun formation togive Beltran a break. The duo gained 78 yards rushing but it did not affect the outcome.

“We’ve gotta lick our wounds, sometimes you need a good beatdown to learn from and grow from, you can learn more from a loss and that’s what we’ll do,” said coach Chipley. “We’ll turn it around and see what we can learn from it.”

Both Chipley and Beltran believe their first loss will allow them to continue to reach their potential, knowing that they have to battle for every win. “We know we’re a beatable team,” said Beltran. “So that’s just gonna make us come out and work harder, so we can bounce back from the loss.”

Cesar Chavez will have a week to lick their wounds and recover before they travel to Mountain Pointe to face the Pride.