(Marana, AZ)
Bill McCulloch
Tonight in a clash between two powerhouse teams, offense took center stage.
Both Cienega and Notre Dame had incredible weapons that the other team’s
defense couldn’t contain.
On the Bobcats side, the one-two punch of Jamarye Joiner and Terrell Hayward
hooked up on a thirty yard pass to score first at the seven minute mark in the first
quarter.
Notre Dame, who never punts turned the ball back to the Bobcats on downs at
the 45 yard line.
Joiner and company took advantage of the opportunity and Jamarye scored on a
three yard run to go up two touchdowns heading into the second quarter.
The down side for Cienega was defensive standout Daunte Boudy had to leave the
game with a strained MCL tendon. He would not return to action and the Bobcat
defense would feel his loss.
With barely a minute gone in the second quarter, quarterback Keilan Weisser
hooked up with receiver Blake Storey and the Saints cut the lead in half at 14-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bobcats tried some razzle-dazzle on the return but
fumbled and Notre Dame scooped it for the tying score 14-14.
On the next Cienega possession, things got back on tract as the Bobcats drove
down the field as Terrell Hayward ran in the go ahead touchdown from fifteen
yards out with four minutes left in the first half. 21-14.
Needing to keep pace in this track meet of a game, Notre Dame’s drive stalled but
field goal kicker Sammy Pileggi split the uprights with under a minute to go to
salvage the Saints effort to get points before the half. 21-17
The Bobcat’s Hayward took the kickoff 85 yards to paydirt just before the half
expired to avenge Notre Dame’s field goal and add to their lead, but missed the
extra point.
27-17 Halftime.
In the third quarter at the eight minute mark following a Cienega punt, the Saints
punched it in from three yards out on a Jake Smith run to tighten the score 28-24.
With a minute left in the quarter, Notre Dame Prep wasn’t finished. A nifty twenty
five yard scamper around the right side and into the end zone gave the Saints
their first lead. The point after was missed, so the lead was 30-27.
Back come the Bobcats scoring on an eleven yard pass from Joiner to wide out
Steven Harshman to put Cienega back on top 34-27.
The Saints jumped on a short kickoff that wasn’t your typical onside kick traveling
twenty five yards but was a live ball.
With under four minutes left, Notre Dame’s Cole Fisher concluded the scoring by
punching it in from three yards out for a 37-34 lead.
Cienega had one more opportunity with two time outs left, but Joiner’s
interception with less than two minutes left sealed their fate.
Notre Dame Prep will face off against the Centennial Coyotes from Peoria at
Arizona Stadium December 2 nd for the State Championship.
