Desert View put on an impressive performance Thursday night in its 35-14 victory against district rival Sunnyside, improving to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in 5A Southern play.
This is the first time the home team has won in the rivalry since 2019, when Desert View beat Sunnyside 20-6.
Desert View — matching its best start in program history when it began 6-0 in 2016 — has won six of the last nine meetings in the Duel in the District after Sunnyside started 13-1 against the Jaguars.
Both teams exchanged turnovers to start the game. Desert View turned the ball over on downs twice. Sunnyside (4-2, 1-1) had a turnover with an interception by Desert View defensive back Kenny Sonnah.
Kenny Sonnah gets an early turnover for Desert View.
After Desert View turned the ball over on downs for the second time, Sunnyside drove the ball down the field and scored on a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Raymond Duarte, giving them a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
That was the only time Sunnyside was in control the entire game.
Once the second quarter hit, it was all Desert View for the rest of the game. To start things off, quarterback Ryan Vasavilbaso connected with wide receiver Anthony Rodarte on a 60-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
It was then Desert View’s defense’s turn to set the tone. To end a Sunnyside drive, the Jaguars were able to contain the mobile Duarte by having free safety Junior Garnett fly in for a sack, allowing their offense to take the lead.
Desert View marched down the field with Vasavilbaso hitting Rodarte for a couple of first downs, as well as using his legs, getting Desert View all the way down to Sunnyside’s 1-yard line. That’s where the big night began for running back Jaylee Abraham, running in for his first of four touchdowns, giving Desert View its first lead of the game.
Jaylee Abraham’s big plays against Sunnyside.
“We started off slow. We faced a well-coached team. But the kids eventually figured it out,” Desert View coach Robert Bonillas said.
The next offensive drive for Desert View looked identical to its previous one, with Vasavilbaso running for first downs and completing passes to Rodarte, who became his favorite target in the first half. The drive ended on a 9-yard run from Abraham, giving Desert View the 21-7 lead.
Desert View looked to extend its lead before halftime after linebacker Robert Medrano forced a fumble, giving his offense the ball in Sunnyside territory. They were unable to capitalize on the turnover because defensive end Adrian Villa sacked Vasavilbaso on the last play to keep the score 21-7.
In the second half, Abraham continued his dominance, wearing down the Sunnyside defense with his power and speed, ultimately finding the end zone again from 9 yards for his third touchdown. After a failed two-point attempt, the score was 27-7 after the third quarter.
“It’s just from training and putting in the work in the offseason. Just spending time with my craft and doing me,” Abraham said about his speed and power.
Sunnyside had a promising drive to start the fourth quarter, but the Desert View defense had other plans. Defensive back Keanu Romero sat perfectly in coverage and secured Desert View’s second interception of the night.
Vasavilbaso hit his receivers with big chunk plays to drive the ball down the field. The drive ended the same way most of them ended on Thursday night, with Abraham pounding it in for the score, this time from 3 yards. The two-point attempt was good.
On the next Sunnyside offensive drive, a bad snap caused a fumble, leading to Desert View recovering.
The next play, Sunnyside got the ball back thanks to defensive back Gio Leyva getting an interception. Sunnyside turned the interception into points with Duarte scoring on a quarterback draw for his second rushing touchdown of the night, making the final score 35-14.
Raymond Duarte runs in for his second touchdown of the night.
“Today was a team win; we played as one, it was amazing,” Abraham said.
Desert View will look to stay undefeated and set a program record with a 7-0 start next week, hosting Nogales.
“We’ve got to take it one week at a time, can’t take anybody lightly. We got to respect our opponents and get back to work and continue what we’re doing,” said Bonillas, who will coach against his alma mater Nogales.
Sunnyside will look to bounce back on the road, traveling to Vail to play Cienega.
Both games take place next Friday at 7 p.m.
DUEL IN THE DISTRICT SERIES
The series between Desert View and Sunnyside in football (home team in CAPS). The schools did not play between 1995 and 2010 because of being in different regions and classifications. The 2023 game was the first time both schools ended the regular season against each other. Sunnyside leads the series 16-7.* Game at Kino North Stadium.
| Year | Winner | Score | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | SUNNYSIDE | 51 | Desert View | 0 |
| 1986 | Sunnyside | 40 | DESERT VIEW | 7 |
| 1987 | SUNNYSIDE | 14 | Desert View | 13 |
| 1988 | SUNNYSIDE | 23 | Desert View | 12 |
| 1989 | DESERT VIEW | 19 | Sunnyside | 0 |
| 1990 | SUNNYSIDE | 21 | Desert View | 0 |
| 1991 | Sunnyside | 14 | DESERT VIEW | 6 |
| 1992 | SUNNYSIDE | 18 | Desert VIew | 16 |
| 1993 | Sunnyside | 34 | DESERT VIEW | 0 |
| 1994 | SUNNYSIDE | 39 | Desert View | 0 |
| 2011 | SUNNYSIDE | 49 | Desert View | 0 |
| 2012 | Sunnyside | 42 | DESERT VIEW | 6 |
| 2013 | SUNNYSIDE | 34 | Desert View | 27 |
| 2014 | Sunnyside | 53 | DESERT VIEW | 0 |
| 2016 | DESERT VIEW | 42 | Sunnyside | 20 |
| 2017 | Desert View | 10 | SUNNYSIDE | 7 |
| 2018* | Sunnyside | 20 | Desert View | 13 |
| 2019 | DESERT VIEW | 20 | Sunnyside | 6 |
| 2021 | Desert View | 29 | SUNNYSIDE | 21 |
| 2022* | Sunnyside | 16 | Desert View | 6 |
| 2023 | Sunnyside | 35 | DESERT VIEW | 14 |
| 2024 | Desert View | 29 | SUNNYSIDE | 28 (OT) |
| 2025 | DESERT VIEW | 35 | Sunnyside | 14 |
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