Walden Grove tied the Copper Cup rivalry at three wins apiece after the Red Wolves’ 33-6 season-opening victory over crosstown rival Sahuarita on Friday night at Earl J. Kelly Stadium.
The Red Wolves have won the last three games since the series resumed in 2022 by an average margin of 34 points.
After exchanging three-and-outs to start the game, senior Nick Roberts recovered a fumble deep in Sahuarita territory.
The Red Wolves quickly turned the recovery into points with a 9-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Jace McGee to senior Antonio Baca for the first score of the game. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful.
“I was really locked in. I felt like I was prepared and felt really good heading into the game,” McGee said about his performance in his first varsity start.
He completed 21 of 30 pass attempts for 303 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Mustangs looked to have a promising drive after a spectacular catch from junior Gabriel Wilson for 49 yards, getting into the red zone. The next play, Roberts recovered his second fumble of the night, keeping the score 6-0 headed into the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the Mustang defense knocked the ball out of the Walden Grove ball carrier. Senior JJ Riley jumped on the ball, giving Sahuarita the ball deep in Red Wolves territory.
Junior Dane Hartnett found junior Roman Tellez II on a 20-yard touchdown pass, putting Sahuarita on the board. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful.
Walden Grove responded immediately with a 4-yard pass from McGee to junior Jacob Fiehler, putting Walden Grove back on top.
With 55 seconds left in the half, the Red Wolves added on to their lead with another pass from McGee to senior Jordan Dobson, this time for 55 yards. This gave Walden Grove a 20-6 halftime lead.
The closest any team got to scoring in the third quarter was on Walden Grove’s first possession, getting all the way to the red zone but failing to convert on a fourth and goal.
Early in the fourth, Walden Grove added to its lead with a 27-yard catch-and-run by Dobson, scoring his second touchdown on the night.
Dobson ended the night with eight receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
The Red Wolves added on another touchdown before the end of the game with a 3-yard run from Baca, his second of the night as well. The 2-point attempt was no good.
What’s Next?
Walden Grove will go back home to an ecstatic Red Wolves crowd against Mesa Eastmark.
“I’m really excited for them,” said McGee.
Sahuarita looks to go 1-1 as it travels to Maricopa to take on Desert Sunrise. Both games kick off Friday at 7:00 p.m.
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