2026 High School Football

Si Charro! Pigskin Report: Pueblo dominant in win over rival Cholla, claim Battle of I-19 Trophy

Posted on
Share



FINAL SCORE

Pueblo 26, Cholla 7

Behind a defense that tallied 11 sacks, Pueblo (5-2, 2-0 4A Gila) overpowered its rival Cholla (4-3, 1-1) in the battle for the I-19 Trophy. The Warriors’ offense was efficient enough behind the playmaking abilities of quarterback Roman Otero and receiver Jesus Enriquez and the running of Saint Lopez, Dariuss Taylor and Anthony Sanchez (152 yards rushing combined) to manufacture three time-consuming scoring drives in the second half that kept Cholla at bay.

PHOTO GALLERY BY JOSIAH LOPEZ

PUEBLO KEEPS ROLLING UNDER ALUM LEWIS

Pueblo is now 12-5 in the last two years under alum Sly Lewis after going 2-8 in his first season in 2024. The Warriors earned the 4A Gila title last year and appear to be in a competition with Sahuarita again for the championship. The Mustangs are also 5-2 and 2-0 under former Pueblo coach Jake Allen. The teams meet Oct. 23 at Sahuarita after playing against a couple of struggling teams Friday — Pueblo faces Rio Rico (2-5, 1-1) for Senior Night and Sahuarita hosts Empire (0-7, 0-2).

When asked how Pueblo will keep its edge against Rio Rico with the showdown with Sahuarita the following week, Lewis said, “Brick by brick … we’re not looking down the road. We’re looking at what’s in front of us. We’ve got to get healthy as well, but other than that, we have to make sure that we’re taking care of business.”

That’s exactly what they did against upstart Cholla, which will be a factor in Southern Arizona football for as long as Roland Youngling, Moe Espinoza and David Watson are coaching the Chargers.

Pueblo scored on its first possession of the game, culminating on a 34-yard catch-and-run on a pass from Otero to Enriquez — and also opened the third quarter with an 80-yard, 11-play drive that took 5:12 off the clock, capped by Otero’s 2-yard scoring run. That score gave the Warriors a 20-0 lead.

The Warriors’ next two possessions — 48 yards on nine plays (ending with a 35-yard field goal by Alejandro Jimenez-Sandoval) and 67 yards on seven plays (finishing with a 32-yard field goal by Jimenez-Sandoval).

Those possessions took about 7 minutes off the clock. In between the three scoring possessions by Pueblo to start the second half, Cholla had two three-and-outs on offense.

“I’m very proud of these young men,” Lewis said. “A rivalry game, I’m just so proud we played a really good game. We have some things we have to clean up, but other than that, I’m extremely proud of these guys.”

CHOLLA QB HURT BUT OK

Cholla’s lone scoring drive was generated by quarterback Damian Estrella’s 17-yard run to the Pueblo 20 with 5:57 remaining.

Unfortunately on that run, Estrella landed awkwardly on the back of his head after going airborne. Paramedics were summoned and Estrella was carted off to an ambulance amid cheers from the Cholla and Pueblo players and the crowd.

Youngling confirmed after the game that Estrella was sent by ambulance to the hospital for precautionary reasons and that his senior captain is “fine.” Estrella moved his head and his extremities while lying on the ground before his departure. He was seen smiling while communicating with those around him.

Estrella bore the brunt of nine of the sacks and was forced to run 19 times (for 49 yards). His backup Ricardo Alvarez was sacked twice but Alvarez managed to complete a 31-yard pass to Dom Vurro and then an 8-yard scoring strike to Victor Rojo with 2:29 left.

PUEBLO D IS 520 TOUGH

The 11 sacks produced by Pueblo’s defense combined for minus-56 yards.

“Coach (Mike) Carpenter is a great defensive coordinator; those guys had a great plan for the quarterback (Estrella),” Lewis said. “He’s a very good football player, likes to scramble and throw it down the field.

“They scored (45) points last week (in a 45-0 win over Empire) and to be able to hold them to seven points, I think our defense did a great job.”

The Warriors’ defense definitely played inspired.

Pueblo assistant coach Vernon Cook, who followed Lewis from Sabino to Pueblo, commented that the “520” tops worn by the Warriors’ coaching staff were in response to Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales wearing his signature “520” top during the Wildcats’ game.

“We like that tough mentality he brings to the game,” Cook said.

ENRIQUEZ IS THE REAL DEAL

He may be listed at 5-foot-5 and 135 pounds — he appears to be more of 5-7 and 150 — but size does not matter to Enriquez.

That was obvious in his catch-and-run touchdown early in the first quarter after busting through three tackles.

He finished with three catches for 72 yards and also leaped for an interception in the end zone as a cornerback, thrwarting a scoring attempt by Cholla.

In his first full season at the varsity level, Enriquez is one of the state’s top receivers with 809 yards on 36 catches with 12 touchdowns.

“Honestly, ever since I was a little kid, no one’s believed in me because of my height, but going into high school I used that against what I have to do,” he said. “I’ve been in the weight room, doing tackles, I’ve been at practice every day.

“My height has not defined me ever since I was a little kid. I just go in thinking I believe like everybody else and I can do what they can do.”

Although Enriquez had limited experience entering the season, Lewis said he is not surprised about his production.

“He’s been a hidden gem for a minute,” Lewis said. “He practices like he plays, so the reason why he is so successful is he does it in practice day in and day out. On Friday nights, he’s able to do some special things.”

NEXT WEEK

Pueblo will host Rio Rico for its Senior Night festivities on Friday at 7 p.m. The Warriors end the regular season with games at Sahuarita and Empre.

Cholla will host winless Rincon/University (0-7, 0-2) on Friday at 7 p.m. before playing at Rio Rico. The Chargers will conclude the regular season with a home game against Sahuarita.

print
Related Items:, , , ,

Recommended for you

Comments
To Top