No. 25 Canyon del Oro stunned No. 21 Tucson High 10-3 in a defensive battle at home Friday night.
The win added to the chaos that is the 5A Sonoran region:
Buena defeated Marana, 38-28
Tucson defeated Buena, 24-23
Canyon del Oro defeated Tucson, 10-3
Marana defeated Canyon del Oro, 28-7
PHOTO ALBUM FROM GILBERT ALCARAZ
“We didn’t play a really clean game penalty-wise. That’s going to crush us, so we need to get that fixed,” coach Scott McKee said about the game, as well as what can cost his team amidst the chaos.
After turning Tucson (5-2, 3-1 5A Sonoran) over on downs, Canyon del Oro marched down the field, thanks to two big plays from senior tight end Diego Torres and junior wide receiver Jayden Smith, setting them up at the 1-yard line. The Dorados took advantage of the turnover with a touchdown from senior running back Tai Holmes, giving them a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.
With two seconds left in the half, the Dorados added to their lead with a field goal from senior kicker Zachary Neasham, making it a 10-point deficit for the Badgers.
Canyon del Oro’s defense continued to cause fits for the Tucson offense. Smith intercepted a ball thrown right to him midway through the third to give the Dorados good field position.
The Dorados couldn’t capitalize on the field position. The Badger defense came up huge, blocking a field goal attempt to stay within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter.
Tucson took advantage of the blocked field goal, going down the field but only coming away with three points with a 25-yarder by senior kicker Waleed Al Jashami.
The Badgers were driving down the field with time expiring, looking to tie the game. On 4th down, junior defensive back Damarion Lee tipped the ball incomplete, giving the Dorados the ball back and the victory.
The Dorados executed a perfect defensive game plan, making one of the most electric players in Southern Arizona, junior wide receiver Ezra Spivey, a non-factor in this game.
“He’s (Spivey) outstanding; he’s a great player, they got great coaches on their side, and we got great defensive coaches on our side. They had a good plan, and we got some special kids in the secondary too,” McKee said about his defensive staff and secondary.
What’s Next?
Canyon del Oro’s schedule doesn’t get much easier; the Dorados travel down south to take on Desert View, one of the last undefeated teams in Southern Arizona.
Tucson looks to bounce back at home in a pivotal region game against Marana. Marana has won the 5A Sonoran region four years in a row. Both games kick off at 7:00 p.m. Friday.
Recommended for you
