A 54-yard touchdown run by Benicio Ruiz on the second play of the opening drive — his first of three touchdowns — got the Flowing Wells offense flowing, the defense forced multiple turnovers, and the Caballeros beat Sahuarita 47-16 on the road on Friday night.
54-yard TD run by Benicio Ruiz on second play of opening drive. Flowing Wells missed PAT. Leads 6-0.@FlowingWellsHS @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/2nnRyFPmt8
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
“Our offense was just working on all cylinders. Everything was working out,” Flowing Wells head coach Brian Hook said. “It helps to have really good athletes.”
Hook said quarterback Tyler Friedenberg made good decisions running the triple-option offense, which included several sweep plays to the sidelines.
“Everything on the perimeter just worked out well tonight,” he said.
A 1-yard rushing touchdown extended the lead for Flowing Wells (3-1) to 13-0 near the midway point of the first quarter. Later in the first quarter, a 37-yard touchdown pass from Sahuarita quarterback Raul Velez to Carlos Martinez and the successful two-point conversion brought Sahuarita (1-3) the closest they would get at 13-8. Ruiz immediately answered for Flowing Wells on the next drive with an 80-yard touchdown run, and with a two-point conversion, the Caballeros held a 21-8 lead.
A 17-yard touchdown run by Ruiz, a 20-yard touchdown pass from Friedenberg to Alex Thompson and a 50-yard quarterback keeper from Friedenberg put Flowing Wells up 41-8 at the half.
Ruiz credited the offensive line, and said it was his ability to read the defense and his speed that led to several big runs.
“I saw that the linebackers would spread out wide, and all I had to beat was the safety, and with my speed, I could do that,” he said.
Benicio Ruiz had an 80 yard TD run on the second play of the game against Sahuarita and finished with 3 TDs. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/AcqDvzUzBP
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
Alfredo Guzman scored on a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, extending the lead for Flowing Wells to 47-8. A 12-yard quarterback keeper for Velez and a successful two-point conversion added some points for Sahuarita in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Flowing Wells gave Velez and the Sahuarita offense trouble all evening.
As the game progressed, Jack Youmans began positioning himself farther from the line of scrimmage, knowing Sahuarita would have to attempt some shots. The decision led to him picking up two interceptions.
“I really just played deep because I knew they were going to throw the ball close to the end zone,” he said.
Jack Youmans had 2 INTs for Flowing Wells in a 47-16 win over Sahuarita. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/Ck04AeEfS2
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
Jack Youmans with his second INT of the night. Flowing Wells leads Sahuarita 41-8 11:26 remaining. @AllSportsTucson @FlowingWellsHS pic.twitter.com/GtsisklA2S
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
Hook praised Youmans, the “relentless pursuit” of the defense and their discipline.
“I thought it was bend, not break, and when it was time to make a big play, they did. Jack got in front and got a couple picks tonight. I thought they did a good job,” he said.
Flowing Wells head coach Brian Hook thought senior QB Tyler Friedenberg made good decisions leading the triple option offense in a 47-16 win over Sahuarita. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/QfGSWEwkGb
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
Big play
John Perales caused a fumble for the Flowing Wells defense, recovered by Quinn Van in the first quarter.
Quinn Van with the fumble recovery for Flowing Wells on their 31-yard line. @AllSportsTucson @FlowingWellsHS pic.twitter.com/Ajkok00QGi
— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
Flowing Wells next plays at home against Phoenix Barry Goldwater next Friday at 7 p.m. Sahuarita next plays at Empire on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
Final: Flowing Wells 47, Sahuarita 16
@AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/TJ4QOYTuKE— Kevin Murphy (@KevinMurfee) September 21, 2024
