The San Manuel football team celebrated its seniors in style by earning its first win of the season, defeating visiting Willcox last Friday night, 20 – 12. The loss ended a 14-game losing streak that dated back to last season.
“Our defense stepped it up and came together as a unit,” San Manuel head coach Daniel Williams said after the game. “They basically produced the win.”
Antonio Gallego, one of seven seniors playing his final home game for the Miners, started the scoring when he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Freshman Benny Laguna scored a rushing touchdown on a reverse and junior running back Christian Velasquez, who ran for 116 of the Miners’ 213 rushing yards in the game, also scored a touchdown.
Gabe Velasquez, a junior, led the defense with a team-high 10 tackles, which included two of the Miners’ three sacks in the game. His brother, Christian, had the other sack. Freshman Cesar Guerrero picked off two Cowboys’ passes while Gallego recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal in addition to his touchdown return, which was set up by Armando Estrada’s punt block.
Other seniors honored on Senior Night, in addition to Gallego, included Christian Ramirez, Andrew Gomez, Matt Franco, Nikita Buzan, Roy Cline and Robert Allison.
The Miners’ will look to make it two wins in-a-row when they renew an old-time rivalry with Hayden in a very unique game this Friday in Winkelman.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.