AHWATUKEE — The Salpointe Catholic Lancers are now 3-1 following a 52-14 road victory over Desert Vista on Friday night. The Lancers, playing their first 6A Central game of the season, had an outstanding performance on both sides of the ball, executing what they had been practicing all week.
“We knew that they were capable of scoring a lot of points,” Salpointe coach Pat Ryden said. “They’ve had a hard time stopping people. That’s really been their problem. So we wanted to come out and do what we do. … I think we got that done.”
The game was highlighted by two explosive touchdown runs from Richard Rivera and a pick-6 by Nathan Spivey.
Salpointe Quarterback Rayce Alvarez was 10 for 16 with no touchdowns or interceptions. His backup Matt Avelar was 5 for 6 with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Salpointe’s offense amassed 459 total yards, 183 of it in the air with 276 yards coming on the ground.
Breaking down the game
Things didn’t seem to start out so great for Salpointe, as Desert Vista was able to strike on the first play of the game. Quarterback Seth Hanson connected with Isaac Price for an 80-yard touchdown pass before a good extra-point kick gave Desert Vista the 7-0 lead with 11:47 remaining in the first quarter.
“Honestly, I didn’t say anything,” Ryden said. “I knew our guys were going to battle back. … We didn’t get lined up right, and when you don’t get lined up right, you pay for it sometimes.”
Desert Vista’s quick start may have stunned Salpointe, but the Lancers were ready to play. They countered quickly with a 15-yard touchdown run of their own by Rivera followed by a good extra-point by Kyah Francone. With 9:12 remaining in the first quarter, it was tied at seven.
“[Rivera] is just your blue-collar guy,” Ryden said. “He’s great in the weight room. He’s a great leader for us. He’s a heck of a running back.”
The following possession for the Thunder resulted in a quick three-and-out. Punting the ball back to Salpointe, it only took the Lancers three plays to move the ball 70 yards into the end zone. After Alvarez was able to connect with Morgan Quiri for a 42-yard gain, the Lancers finished it off with an 11-yard run from Spivey to take the lead. The kick by Francone was up and in, making it 14-7 with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter.
A fumble on the following possession by Desert Vista would be recovered by Salpointe at its own 45. The Lancers ultimately settled for a field goal by Francone, taking a 17-7 lead with 2:14 left in the first quarter.
The Thunder punted the ball once again with 51.8 seconds left in the first quarter, giving Salpointe possession at its own 31. Chopping away at the chains, the Lancers capitalized on the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run by Rivera. The kick from Francone was once again good, making it 24-7 with 8:33 remaining in the half.
Three plays into Desert Vista’s following drive, a good read by Spivey resulted in a pick-6 for the Lancers. Francone’s kick was good, extending the Lancers’ lead to 31-7 with 7:29 remaining before the half.
“[Spivey] does everything for us,” Ryden said. “He’s a tremendous football player and a great student and whoever takes a chance on him at the next level is going to get a great player.”
On the following possession, Desert Vista went for it on fourth down but wasn’t able to convert, turning the ball over near midfield. From there, Salpointe took over with Avelar in at quarterback and progressed down the field before capping it off with a touchdown pass. Avelar was able to find Quiri for an 11-yard score. The kick by Francone was again good, making the score 38-7 with 58.5 seconds left in the half.
Coming back out of the half, Salpointe would ultimately be forced to punt the ball away for the first time all game. Desert Vista found rhythm moving the ball down the field, but ultimately, the possession would end in a turnover on downs at the Salpoinyr 33. Marching down the field, Salpointe capped off the drive with yet another touchdown, this one coming from Kaden Meyers. The kick was goof, extending the lead to 45-7 with 2:28 remaining in the third.
With a running clock, Desert Vista got the ball back but ultimately ended up punting to close out the third quarter. Salpointe’s offense, for the first time on the night, had a quick three-and-out, giving the ball back to Desert Vista.
From Salpointe’s 15, Desert Vista didn’t have far to go to reach the end zone. It finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Kevin Jackson. The kick was good, making it 45-14 with 4:38 remaining.
Eating as much time off the clock while moving the ball down the field, Salpointe was able to strike with just 24.6 seconds left on a pass from Avelar to Evan Keiholz. Francone’s kick was good as time expired, making the final score 52-14.
Looking ahead
Salpointe Catholic will now have a couple days off before preparing to face Corona del Sol on the road in Tempe next Friday. One of the main focuses going into the game is going to be penalties.
“We continue to talk about stupid penalties, how those kill ya. … I think our guys have gotten better,” Ryden said.
Corona del Sol is 1-4 and will be coming into the game against Salpointe off a bye week.
“We’ve got another tough one next week,” Ryden said. “I tell our guys every game in 6A is tough, everybody’s big and strong and fast, and everybody’s got athletes.
“Corona del Sol is well coached and they’re going to be ready to go. We’re going to have to have a great week at practice.”
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