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Santiago Pina wears a Lobo T-shirt and joins his fellow players at the game. Santiago was seriously injured last August in an automobile accident near Aravaipa. Earlier in the day, the Hayden High School Student Body observed a candlelight vigil for him. It’s great to have Santiago back with his fellow Lobo players, family and friends. Pictured with Santiago is Johnny Arbizo.
The Hayden football team entered last Friday’s season-opening home game versus Williams optimistic this season would yield different results than last. Instead, the Vikings, who reached the playoffs last year, looked like a team planning a return trip to the postseason with a 42 – 6 victory.
The Vikings scored in every quarter, opening a 36 – 0 lead at the end of the third before both teams tallied matching touchdowns in the fourth.
Hayden’s Ryan Donovan (#2) tries to snag the ball and keep it away from a Williams player at Friday night’s game.
“We made a lot of mistakes on both sides of the ball,” Lobos’ head coach John Estrada said after the game. “Not taking anything away from Williams, it was a big, senior loaded and seasoned team. They will make the playoffs again this year.”
Estrada was pleased with the performance of senior running back and linebacker Brandon Cruz, who played in the game despite suffering from a “bad cold” virus. His teammates, on the other hand, appeared tentative, according to their head coach.
Hayden’s Brandon Cruz (#7) is pulled down by a Williams defender at Friday
night’s game.
“We need to play football,” Estrada said. “I think we are putting too much pressure on ourselves. We just need to play ball, have fun and hit.”
The Lobos will need to adjust quickly with undefeated NFL Yet Academy visiting this Friday. The Eagles are averaging 64 points per game and have outscored their opponents this season 128 – 22, including a 66 – 22 win against Ray last Friday.
“We’ll try and rebound and learn from this game,” Estrada said.
Kickoff for Friday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Hayden Cheerleaders were on the sidelines Friday night cheering on their Lobos. Pictured from left are: Gracie Delgado, Marianna Valenzuela, MacKenzie Nelson, Angelita Casillas, Martha Palafox, Linda Kame, Anissa Estrada, Kirstin Hise and Ariana Allen.
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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