PHOENIX — For some Tucson teams, the bus ride north to the Valley can take a toll on players, making it hard to get off to a fast start. It wasn’t the case for the Tanque Verde Hawks on Friday night, though, as they cruised to a 38-6 victory over the Cortez Colts on the road. Following the win, the Hawks are now 2-1 on the season.
It was a quick start for Tanque Verde. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Hawks were able to score on their second play of the drive. Quarterback Rocco Haggard connected with Dylan Lewis for a 71-yard touchdown. The kick by Gabe Snook was good, making it 7-0 early.
Defense forced a quick three-and-out for Cortez on the Colts’ first possession with Tanque Verde taking over at the 34. From there, the Hawks continued to chop away at the chains and continue moving down field, but an interception would give the ball back to the Colts with just 45 seconds left in the first quarter.
Despite the momentum swing following the turnover, Cortez wasn’t able to capitalize. The Colts ultimately turned the ball over on downs with 10:12 remaining in the half.
Taking over at the 35, it took only four plays to move the ball down the field into the end zone for Tanque Verde.
After gaining 33 yards on the ground, Haggard was able to find Kasey Johnson for a 32-yard touchdown pass. Snook’s kick was good, extending the lead to 14-0 with 8:05 left in the second quarter.
More trouble ensued for Cortez on its next possession, as a tipped ball would be intercepted by Anthony Torgeson with 6:03 still remaining to play.
Tanque Verde was able to capitalize on the turnover while eating away at some of the clock, scoring on a pass from Haggard to Jacob Dickens with 1:54 remaining. Snooks kick was again good, making it 21-0 Tanque Verde.
Defense came to play tonight, as they forced another takeaway on Cortez’s following possession. This time, it was an interception from Sebastian Blakeman.
Once again able to capitalize on the turnover, Haggard paired up with Lewis for yet another explosive touchdown pass. With just five seconds remaining in the half, Snook’s kick was good, making it 28-0.
Coming back out of the half, Cortez fumbled on the first snap of the drive, which was recovered by Tanque Verde at the Colts’ 22. Ultimately settling for a field-goal attempt, it was no good, keeping things 28-0 with 9:24 remaining.
On the following possession for Tanque Verde, the Hawks again had to settle for a field goal attempt, except this one was good to extend the lead to 31-0 with 2:25 remaining.
Cortez would finally find some offensive rhythm and continue to slowly but surely move the ball down the field. With 7:19 remaining in the game, the Colts were able to score on a long run from quarterback Jamerrius Anthony. The kick was blocked, keeping the score 31-6.
Needing only four plays to reach the end zone again, the Hawks capped off the drive with a 43-yard touchdown run from Blakeman. The kick was good, making it 38-6 with 5:12 remaining.
The Colts came back out and ran the ball well enough to keep progressing forward, allowing the clock to continue ticking away as time eventually expired.
Following the game, Tanque Verde coach Jeff Bollnow asked for no interviews on the night.
Tanque Verde will now prepare to take on 2A San Pedro rival Palo Verde on the road next Friday at 7 p.m.
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