(Vail, AZ)
Bill McCulloch
If you knew the Vail of yesteryear, you’d know that it was a stop on the railroad enroute to Tucson.
Even in tonight’s game in this growing southeast town, the train went by the stadium several times to destinations unknown.
The Cienega Bobcats wanted nothing more than to keep their train rolling in the State Playoffs.
The Fairfax Stampede from up north outside of Phoenix came rolling into town with upset on their minds.
This talented bunch of kids didn’t read the headlines, didn’t get caught up in the hype of the Cienega ten game winning streak. They came to play ball and give it their best shot. Anything can happen in November come playoff time. You can catch lightning in a bottle and ride it for as far as it takes you.
Cienega had other ideas. Right off the rip, Terrell Hayward takes a 75 yard kick return to the house and sets the tone of this game as the Bobcats say emphatically, “you’ll have to chase us!” The score was 7-0 before the fans settled into their seats.
With three minutes left in the opening quarter, Running Back Thomas Webb Jr. lowered his body and pounded in the second touchdown from six yards out.
Bang bang, Fairfax found themselves looking at a two touchdown deficit. The Bobcat offense was clicking under the senior leadership of Jamarye Joiner, Hayward and Webb.
With around nine minutes left in the half, Cienega puts together a sustained drive and reaches the red zone of the Stampede. A couple plays later, once again Webb Jr. plows in from seven yards out to take the Cats to a huge first half lead 21-0.
A this point the game stated to get a little chippy when Fairfax was called for three personal fouls and an unsportsmanlike conduct on late hits out of bounds.
You could see the frustration building on the faces of the players from Laveen off Baseline Rd and 51st Ave.
Trash talking was kept to a minimum by this officiating crew and they kept a tight grip on not letting this game get out of hand.
Then a glimmer of hope for the Stampede, Running Back Douglas Tim’s took the ball at his own five yard line and raced 75 yards down to the Cienega 20. Back in business were the thoughts of the Stampede sideline.
A minute later with five minutes left till halftime, Fairfax got redemption with a touchdown to put themselves on the board. Inexplicably however they chose to go for a two point conversion which failed and left themselves behind 21-6.
The Stampede got the ball back to start the second half but stalled on their opening drive and were forced to punt.
Trying to pick up where they left off, the Bobcat offense mounted another drive and got as far as the Fairfax nine yard line when they fumbled the ball on what could have been the death blow to send Fairfax packing before the final period even started.
Once again staving off defeat for the time being, the Stampede couldn’t gain yardage enough for a first down and punted the ball back.
Cienega’s offense in the second half moved the ball on numerous chances only to turn it over on fumbles or possessions after failing to convert on fourth down.
Fairfax needing points fast also turned the ball back to the Bobcats after failing to get a critical first down with nine minutes left to go in the game.
The clock was now their ally as Cienega took the ball back at their own 35 yard line, but their drive stalled just inside the Fairfax 20 yard line.
After a motion penalty and a loss of yardage on a run, Ezra Figueroa made the game a three possession lead with a 34 yard field goal, 24-6 Bobcats.
Fairfax wouldn’t be heard from again as yet another locomotive passed by the campus and the Bobcats were happy to jump aboard. Final 24-6 Cienega.
Moments after the final whistle, it was learned that a Week 2 rematch would take place next Friday against the surging and powerful Marana Tigers, who lost in a shootout 57-50 to Cienega.
This looks to be a classic matchup of offensive firepower on each side as both quarterbacks look to light it up on their way to the promise land and an AIA State Championship.
