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Ray’s Cole Yocum (15) runs interference for Destry Yocum (5) while Tanner Willis (72) and Anthony Acuna (63) come in for the assist. James Carnes | Copper Basin News
Ray RB Robbin Newman trying to outrun Superior LB Edgar Pacheco. James Carnes | Copper Basin News
The Copper Helmet will reside in Kearny until next year’s game. James Carnes | Copper Basin News
Copper Basin News
The seventh-ranked Ray Bearcats fell behind the tenth-ranked Superior Panthers last Friday, 20 – 0, before scoring 34 unanswered points to grab the lead. The Panthers tried to make a comeback of their own on Homecoming but fell short as the ‘Cats held on for the 34 – 32 victory.
The win was the Bearcats’ first in sectional play and moves their record to 3 – 1 on the season. They have now won three games in-a-row after a season-opening loss to second-ranked Pima. The Bearcats sit atop the Section IV standings in a tie for first place with fifth-ranked Gilbert Christian.
The ‘Cats play three of their final four games at home, beginning this Friday versus Hayden. The Lobos lost last Friday to the Bearcats’ opponent next week, Gilbert Christian, 56 – 20. The ‘Cats can ill afford to look past the Lobos in anticipation of next week’s important sectional matchup.
Friday’s game versus the Lobos is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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