First game of the season, traveling into rival territory, looking for a victory against a team you haven’t beaten since 2019 and playing on a monsoon-soaked field could have been a recipe for disaster for the Sahuaro Cougars.
IDisaster was averted as Sahuaro (1-0) ended the night with a 15-14 victory over Sabino (1-1), snapping a 4 year losing streak to the Sabercats.
“No one likes losing this game. My hats off to Sabino man, I mean they lost a lot of kids from last year and they still competed. My hats off to the coaches and (Sabino coach Ryan) McBrayer. They run a good program.” Sahuaro coach Al Alexander said about the rivalry win.
Sahuaro coach Al Alexander after his team pulled off a close 15-14 win over rival Sabino. He talks about his defense being the staple of the team and getting a big win in the Cougars opening game. @AllSportsTucson @SahuaroF pic.twitter.com/GrxX0h75tt
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) August 31, 2024
As the 7 p.m. kickoff approached Friday, the skies over Sabino’s field opened up, soaking the natural turf and delaying warmups.
While the monsoon rain wasn’t the main story of the night, it did cause havoc for the running game for both teams early in the game.
Sabino won the coin toss and elected to receive but came up empty on their first possession.
Last week’s All Sports Tucson APS Digital Print Player of the Week, Zachari Haley, had a hard time getting his footing on the wet field.
Haley who plays running back and linebacker for Sabino took on another role against Sahuaro.
McBrayer subbed Haley in at quarterback.
“Zach Haley, he’s a dude. We needed to get a jump start into our offense, just snapping him the ball and moving our offense around in different ways. Settle some guys down. We came up a little too hyped for it. When you are seeing the rivalry for the first time you kind of get excited and we just needed someone who was a stalwart who could settle us down, run the ball … he did exactly that, so super, super proud of what Zach Haley did tonight,” McBrayer said.
Sabino head coach Ryan McBrayer after the Sabercats close 15-14 loss to Sahuaro talks about his freshman QB Bodhi Sanford’s development and RB/OLB Zachari Haley subbing in at QB. @AllSportsTucson @SabinoFootball1 @Coach_McBrayer pic.twitter.com/T5YK762JwW
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) August 31, 2024
Sahuaro got on the board first when junior running back Isaac Lugo powered up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown. With 8:54 left in the first quarter, Sahuaro led Sabino 7-0.
Defense stepped up for both teams until the 5.5 seconds mark in the half.
That’s when Sabino freshman quarterback Bodhi Sanford snuck around the right side for a touchdown.
Sabino and Sahuaro went into halftime tied at 7.
Sabino took a 14-7 lead with 1:02 left in the third quarter when Sanford, under pressure, scrambled and threw a spot on pass to senior wide receiver Max Trainer who was wide open in the end zone.
In the fourth quarter, with Sahuaro threatening, the ball on the Sabino 13-yard line, Sabino safety Brit Roberson intercepted Sahuaro quarterback Trevor Eagerton.
Two plays later, a mishandled snap ended in a safety.
With Sabino leading 14-9 and 5:05 left in the game, Sahuaro running back Jermarell Webb pushed across the goal line for what would be the game-winning touchdown.
We’ve got a close one in the Saberdome.
Sahuaro’s RB Jermarell Webb pushes across the goal line for 6. Extra point is blocked.
5:05 left in the game.
Saguaro – 15
Sabino – 14@AllSportsTucson @SahuaroF @SabinoFootball1 pic.twitter.com/COgSsfkR69— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) August 31, 2024
“It was all instinct. I had to get in there and do it for my team. I got us up there I have to get in the end zone the best as I can and try to win for the team.” Webb said on his game winning touchdown.
This was Sahuaro’s first game of the season. The Sabercats opened their season last Friday with a win over 3A Coolidge(0-2).
Sabino travels to Queen Creek for a 3A match up with the Crismon Rattlers (0-2).
Sahuaro will face 4A Northwest Christian (1-0) in Phoenix.
Games are on Friday and start at 7 p.m.
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