Serina Gutierrez. Tucson, AZ
On the evening of their homecoming, the Pueblo Warriors were hyped for this week’s game gaining a packed crowd of past, present, and future Warriors. After having a week to prepare for this game, the Warriors all came out with fresh legs ready to rush. The players would emerge from their tunnel with flags reading “P” “H” “S” and “WARRIORS”, rushing through a cloud of smoke and through a 8ft high banner held by their cheerleaders. Though, they were not favored to win. The polls anticipated their southside rivals to come out on top. With high expectations of winning this week’s game, Cholla charged the field with high intensity ready to come out on top.
With the 1st quarter underway, Pueblo receives the ball and manages to hold on- for 2 plays. Cholla’s defense started off very strong, very early. Christian Villaescusa managed to cause the Warriors to fumble the ball and recovered it himself to give his team their 1st possession. Only 1:37 later, QB Jordan Porter would find teammate Aj Blair to give the Chargers the first points of the game. Pueblo, now back with possession, would not be able to hold on to the ball for very long. Cholla Senior Michael Johansen managed to cause Pueblo to fumble, and then recover the team’s 2nd fumble in under 5 minutes.
Pueblo’s Alonzo Saldivar would not let the Charger’s capitalize on the play and intercepted the ball- leading to a Warrior touchdown 20 seconds later. Pueblo’s attempt at a 2-point conversion would ultimately fail and leave the Warriors trailing by 1. Cholla would score once more with 3 minutes left, keeping their lead alive. Pueblo Junior, Ruben Rivera would get the Warriors 10 yards closer to catching up to the Chargers. A touchdown from teammate Omar Ibanez would give Rivera the opportunity to rush in for the 2-point conversion and give Pueblo their 1st lead of the game.
After a breakthrough at the end of the 1st quarter, the Warriors proved the change in momentum when Omar Ibanez grabbed his 2nd touchdown of the evening. Ruben Rivera would also grab his second 2-point conversion of the evening as well. Cholla would complete a 35 yard pass to Devin Stubblefield putting them in field goal territory. With the attempt, Jorge Martinez’s kick would prove to be no match for the Warrior’s defense when Robert Jackson leaped over 3 Chargers to block the ball. Ruben Rivera and Omar Ibanez were a powerful duo on the field in the 2nd quarter.
With 3 minutes left, Ibanez would run the ball 49 yards into the redzone which gave Rivera the chance to run the ball in for the Warrior’s 2nd touchdown of the quarter. Though their 2-point conversion attempt would be dropped. Cholla Senior Aj Blair, 45 seconds later, would run the ball 65 yards for a touchdown. Though they would have an unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt. With 1:49 left, Ruben Rivera would return with a 63 yard touchdown run and teammate Adryan Gonzales would end the 1st half with a 2-point conversion giving the Warriors a commanding lead of 36-19.
Not willing to roll over in defeat, Cholla quarterback Jordan Porter would take the ball himself for a 35 yard touchdown to begin the 2nd half. Omar Ibanez would have a very successful 3rd quarter picking up 2 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion. Ibanez would be responsible for 20 of Pueblo’s 30 points in the 2nd half. Jordan Porter would pick up 87 more yards for 2 more touchdowns in the remainder of the game. Pueblo, with a full crowd of past, present, and future Warriors, would end their homecoming night with a 66-46 win over Cholla.
Though they did not come out on top, Cholla did indeed give Pueblo a run for their money. Pueblo Coach Brandon Sanders gave the Chargers’ offense recognition, stating “Those guys are tough to stop”. When asked about what changes will be made on their defensive side, Coach Sanders suggested “We need to start rounding up and do a lot better on our persuit.” The Warriors will be looking to playing smarter and staying focused when they travel to face Walden Grove on Friday September 15th. Cholla will host Palo Verde at 7pm next Friday as well.
