No. 2 Desert View finishes the regular season undefeated with a 41-23 victory Friday at Jaguar Stadium over No. 19 Flowing Wells, capping off a historical regular season.
The Jaguars (10-0, 6-0 5A Southern) are unbeaten to finish a regular season for the first time in program history.
“We felt we needed to make a statement by showing that Desert View can win football games and put banners up in the gym,” senior quarterback Ryan Vasavilbaso said, reflecting on the regular season heading into the playoffs.
Desert View’s defense held the Flowing Wells (7-3, 3-3) offense in check for most of the first half. Making them punt and turn the ball over on downs on their first few possessions.
Desert View got on the board in the middle of the first quarter with a 21-yard pass from Vasavilbaso to junior wide receiver Alberto Grijalva.
On Desert View’s second drive, sophomore running back Jaylee Abraham picked up where he left off from last week at Cienega, juking defenders and breaking tackles on a 35-yard run to get to the Flowing Wells 35. Vasavilbaso got in on the running action a few plays later, running 19 yards, setting his offense up at the 4. Abraham took care of the rest a play later, getting to the edge for the score. The two-point attempt was no good, giving Desert View the 13-0 lead after the first quarter.
Desert View started the second quarter off with a bang. Vasavilbaso hit senior wide receiver Fernando Soto on a short route. Soto did the rest, breaking free for a 67-yard touchdown.
Flowing Wells’ offense showed signs of life in the middle of the quarter with a 50-yard keeper from senior quarterback Benicio Ruiz to get his team on the board.
Benicio Ruiz keeps the ball to get Flowing Wells on the board.
Desert View immediately responded with a scoring drive of its own. Sophomore running back Keanu Romero was the focal point on the drive, making two spectacular catches, one sliding and the other a toe drag. The drive ended with a 6-yard touchdown from Vasavilbaso to freshman wide receiver Anthony Rodarte. The second two-point attempt was no good.
Keanu Romero makes a sliding grab for the first down.
Before the end of the half, Ruiz broke off another huge run from midfield, getting all the way inside the Desert View 10. Senior running back Jayden Simmons ended Flowing Wells’ drive by easily reaching the edge on a 3-yard outside run for the score. The Caballeros’ two-point attempt was successful, making the halftime score 25-15 and keeping them within striking distance.
To begin the second half, Flowing Wells attempted an onside kick. The ball failed to reach the distance, giving Desert View the ball at midfield. Abraham continued to do what he has done all year: find the end zone, this time, using his shiftiness from 24 yards out. The two-point attempt was good.
Flowing Wells kept hanging around in the second after. After Desert View’s scoring drive, senior running back for Flowing Wells Alfredo Guzman ran the ball in from 9 yards to make it a one-score game again heading into the fourth quarter.
Desert View pulled away in the fourth quarter. Vasavilbaso found Grijalva for an incredible 25-yard touchdown pass. Grijalva got over the defender to make the grab and ripped it away when going to the ground, adding to a solid night for Grijalva, finishing with four catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Their two-point try was successful again.
“Our passing game, especially our wide receiver core like Eric (Barcelo), Cam (Anthony Rodarte), Fernando (Soto), we’re all just dominant receivers. Every time we catch the ball, we make plays,” Grijalva said.
Flowing Wells looked to answer back, but fumbled at midfield and recovered by Desert View. The Jaguars did not come away with points, turning the ball over on downs, giving Flowing Wells the ball for the remainder of the game.
On the final play, Flowing Wells looked to score, but who else but Abraham to deny them by picking off the ball in the end zone to end the game and the regular season for both teams.
Jaylee Abraham gets the interception to put the game away.
Desert View will have a first-round bye based on its No. 2 ranking (the top eight teams get a bye). The 5A brackets will be released Saturday morning.
“Every game is a new challenge,” Desert View coach Robert Bonillas said.
Flowing Wells will also wait to see who it will potentially play on the road next week in the first round of the playoffs.
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