Lightning was the only thing that stopped Desert View High School in the second half Friday as the Jaguars beat visiting Maricopa 37-0 to remain unbeaten this season.
Desert View is 5-0 for the first time since 2021.
Starting quarterback Ryan Vasavilbaso threw for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns, while backup Andrew Godoy added more than 120 yards and two scores of his own.
Eric Barcelo helped by hauling in a touchdown from each quarterback and finished with 80 yards receiving.
Jaylee Abraham rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 35 receiving yards.
Both teams started slow, with the first quarter ending scoreless.
The Jaguars broke through in the second quarter, scoring 14 points thanks to Abraham’s rushing touchdown and Vasavilbaso’s first touchdown pass to Anthony Rodarte.
“It was a little rough in the beginning, but the kids were able to come back in the second half and do a better job,” Desert View coach Robert Bonillas said.
After a weather delay in the second half, Desert View came out strong, forcing and recovering a fumble that set up Barcelo’s first touchdown.
The defense continued to shine, forcing a turnover on downs that led to a long touchdown pass from Godoy to Fernando Soto. The momentum carried with a safety, followed by Godoy’s second touchdown pass, this time to Barcelo.
“I love our defense,” Vasavilbaso said. “Our defense always holds it down for us, always gives us a chance. They’re very disciplined and take the coaching well.”
It was Desert View’s first shutout of the season.
Despite the score, the Jaguars will need to clean things up, flagged for 90 penalty yards.
“It doesn’t affect how we’re going to play the rest of the game,” Vasavilbaso said. “Shake it off we’re about to go back and score again.”
Bonillas added, “We just have to focus on what we’re doing. It was Homecoming week too, so there were a couple of other distractions.”
Desert View will host Sunnyside in the anticipated Duel in the District game Thursday.
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