by 
#2 Armando Lopez brings down the Warriors running back. (Frank Smith photo)
#40 Shane Kelly turns the corner against the Warriors defense. (Frank Smith photo)
By Frank Smith
San Manuel Miner
The San Manuel varsity football team grounded the visiting Warriors from Baboquivari on Friday night 40 – 12. The Miners got the scoring going early and often. In the first quarter San Manuel did not take long to get on the scoreboard as return man Armando Sierra took the opening kick off back 80 yards for the touchdown, the extra point kick by Anthony Garcia was good for a Miners lead of 7 – 0 with 11:47 showing on the clock.
The Miners defense forced a three and out on the Warriors first possession having to punt the ball away from deep in their territory. San Manuel set up at the Warriors 25 yard line, quarterback Bryan Valdez dropped back and fired a pass to tight end Jonathon Croci for the 25 yard touchdown pass, the extra point kick was no good for a 13 – 0 with 9:36 on the clock in the first quarter.
Baboquivari took the ball at their 35 yard line after the kick off, on the second play of the drive, after a penalty, the Warriors fumbled the ball with defensive end Anthony Garcia picking up the ball and returning it 22 yards down to the Warriors one yard line.
This would set up another Miners touchdown, this time running back Nathan Odom got the call – punching it in from one yard out for the touchdown, the two point conversion was good by Valdez for a 21 – 0 score with 9:30 left on the clock in the first quarter.
San Manuel stout defense forced another punt on a three and out, the Miners lined up at their own 45 yard line, running back Shane Kelly took the first hand off down to the Warriors 45 yard line, wide receiver Alvaro Alvarez caught a pass down to the 17 yard line, this would set up running back Anthony Garcia for a 17 yard scamper into the end zone for the touchdown, the extra point kick was no good, adding to the lead at 27 0 with 6:02 on the clock in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kick off, the Warriors fumbled the ball with the Miners recovering the ball at the Baboquuivari 20 yard line.
San Manuel was set and poised at the Warriors 20 yard line where Kelly got the first call and sprinted down field to the one yard line. On the second play of the drive, Valdez dropped back and hit Alvarez with a pass in the end zone for the one yard touchdown reception, the extra point kick was no good for a Miners lead of 33 – 0 with 5:12 on the clock in the first quarter.
The Miners defense held the Warriors to force another punt but the Miners fumbled the ball on their next possession giving up the ball to the Warriors at their own 25 yard line. Baboquivari gave the ball right back on the second play of their drive with defensive end Jonathon Croci recovering the loose ball at the Warriors 24 yard line.
With the Miners set up at the Baboquivari 24, Kelly would score on the fourth play of the drive on a five yard run into the end zone for the touchdown, the extra point kick was no good for the Miners score of 40 – 0 with :11 left in the first quarter.
The game was shortened by the running of the clock and the quarter were now six minutes due to the integrity of the game. The Miners inserted the JV squad to take over the rest of the game.
The Warriors went on to score two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to bring the final San Manuel 40 – Baboquivari 12.
Offensively, Rushing: Shane Kelly rushed four times for 51 yards with one touchdown; Anthony Garcia rushed three times for 38 yards with one touchdown; Armando Sierra rushed one time for 29 yards; and Nathan Odom rushed one time for one yard with one touchdown. Passing: Bryan Valdez completed 2 of 2 passing for 28 yards with two touchdowns. Receiving: Jonathan Croci caught one pass for 25 yards with one touchdown ; Alvaro Alvarez caught one pass for 3 yards with one touchdown. Special Teams: Armando Sierra had an 80 yard kick return for a touchdown.
Defensively, Jordan Peasley had nine tackles; Shane Kelly had four tackles; Anthony Garcia had four tackles with one Fumble Recovery for 14 yards; and Jonathan Croci had four tackles with one Fumble Recovery.
Head Coach Steve Elmore said, “It was a good win for the guys in an unusual game. I wish the seniors were able to play more for their final home game as a Miner, but it was good for the younger guys to get some playing time. We look forward to playing a tough San Tan Foothills team this week and look forward to our fans support on the road to end the regular season.”
The Miners will end their regular season on the road to San Tan Foothills on Friday night with a 7 p.m. kick-off.
The Miners defense sacks the Baboquivari quarterback. (Frank Smith photo)
The S.A.Y.F ( Southern Arizona Youth Football) Miners from the Tri-Community and the Copper Basin Areas played a scrimmage at halftime of Friday nights varsity Miners football. (Frank Smith photo)
by by