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The No. 9-ranked Hayden football team had its season ended following last Friday’s 65 – 26 quarterfinal playoff loss to No. 1 Bagdad. The Lobos, who entered the game with wins in seven of their last eight games, including a victory against Mayer in the first round of this year’s playoffs, figure to benefit in the future from this season’s success.
“I’m optimistic it will motivate some of the underclassmen who didn’t come out to play football this year,” Lobos’ head coach John Estrada said. “There is plenty of talent in Hayden. We just need to get it out on the field. I hope the success of this season helps.”
Bagdad came away with a convincing win, but Estrada came away convinced his team was more physical than the Sultans.
“We hit and executed well, and I can bet on Sunday morning they knew Hayden was in town,” he said. “Bagdad just had a few more skilled and seasoned players. Our kids left it all on the field and I couldn’t be more proud of these young men.”
“Our kids represented well,” Estrada added. “Not only their parents but our community and Hayden High School. They showed a lot of heart, never gave up, showed good sportsmanship, and were well disciplined.”
Senior running back Brandon Cruz rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to receiver Frankie Valencia, who hauled in a 52-yard scoring reception from junior quarterback Mario Mariscal.
Mariscal finished with 145 passing yards. Valencia, a junior, totaled 176 receiving yards. Running back Ryan Donovan added 60 yards rushing in the game.
Hayden finished the season with a record of 6 – 4; the losses coming against the Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 teams in the state.
“That’s up there with the best,” Estrada said.
Estrada said his team worked hard over the summer and he was proud to see the players rewarded for their efforts.
“I challenged the seniors to work hard and end their careers as winners,” he said. “I wanted them to change the culture with Hayden football. They took on that challenge and led an overachieving team to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.”
And now, hopefully, the Lobos’ football program can reap the rewards of this season’s accomplishment.
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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