No. 6 Waddell Canyon View traveled to Tucson and got the 38-28 upset victory over No. 3 Desert View, ending the historical season for the southside school.
“It was a great season. We fought hard, we made it this far, just came up short this game,” sophomore running back Jaylee Abraham said.
Abraham was one of the sensations of a season in which Desert View won the most games in program history, finishing 11-1.
The first quarter was slow for both offenses, as they turned the ball over on downs on their first possessions. On its second possession, Desert View punted the ball deep in its own territory, even with good field position, Canyon View (10-2) couldn’t take advantage. Abraham jumped in front of the receiver for an interception.
Desert View couldn’t capitalize, punting the ball, giving Canyon View great field position again.
The second time around, Canyon View took advantage of the great field position, kicking a field goal in the first minute of the second quarter.
Desert View’s opportunity to respond was halted after junior defensive tackle David Teeples recovered a fumble, setting up his offense at midfield.
Canyon View capitalized on the fumble with a 16-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brady Scott to senior wide receiver Micahel Callejas.
Desert View responded quickly with a score of its own. Senior quarterback Ryan Vasavilbaso dumped the ball to Abraham on a 37-yard screen pass, getting Desert View its first points of the game.
Canyon View’s offense stalled, giving the ball back to a Desert View team that was gaining momentum. Momentum was halted thanks to junior free safety Keegan McCarthy intercepting an overthrown ball, swinging the momentum back into Canyon View’s favor.
Canyon View got into Desert View territory with a 35-yard pass from Scott to junior wide receiver Braylon Anderson. A play later, Scott ran it in from 10 yards, putting Canyon View up 17-7.
Running behind Abraham, Desert View scored again from 6 yards out, staying within three points. Canyon View marched down the field, getting inside Desert View’s 10-yard line again, getting the same result as last time with Scott rushing in for his second touchdown of the night, this time from 8 yards out.
Before halftime, Desert View tried to get within three, getting all the way down to Canyon View’s 5-yard line, only to come up empty-handed, senior linebacker Rece Landis comes out of nowhere with an interception, keeping Canyon View’s lead 24-14 at halftime.
Desert View’s defense tightened up in the second half, forcing Canyon View to punt the ball on both of its possessions in the third quarter. Desert View took advantage of both those stops. On their first possession of the second half, Desert View kept feeding Abraham all the way down the field, ending their drive with a 9-yard touchdown run by Abraham to bring them within three points.
Desert View’s second drive drained the clock all the way down to the end of the quarter at Canyon View’s 4-yard line. Later in the drive, they faced a 4th-and-goal. Abraham’s number was called on again, and he did what he had done all season: find his way into the endzone for a touchdown, giving his team a 28-24 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
Just when it looked like the tide turned in Desert View’s favor, Canyon View immediately responded with an 80-yard kickoff return by junior wide receiver Jay’mari Hector, retaking the lead for Canyon View.
The attempt to respond by Desert View was shut down by Canyon View by turning the ball over on downs. Desert View’s defense gave its offense another chance to answer thanks to a sack on 3rd and long by junior defensive end Cristian Salgado, forcing Canyon View to punt.
It didn’t take long for Canyon View to get the ball back. Junior cornerback Tavin Bayer came up with an interception, their third total of the night.
Canyon View put the game out of reach with a 26-yard touchdown run by senior running back Derek Vasko, giving them the 38-28 victory, advancing to the semifinals of the 5A state playoffs.
“We’re still going to get back to work, next year we’re definitely going to make a statement because this doesn’t feel good,” Abraham said.
Canyon View will travel to ALA Gilbert North for its semifinal matchup on Friday at 7 p.m.
Recommended for you
