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Ben Quijada #32 picks up yardage in a loss to Tombstone. (Frank Smith photo)
Alvaro Alvarez #23 pulls the ball in for the catch against the Yellow Jackets. (Frank Smith photo)
By Frank Smith
San Manuel Miner
The San Manuel varsity football team made the trip down to Tombstone on Friday night and felt the sting of the Yellow Jackets 42 – 0 as the Miners traveled down to Tombstone last week for a division match – up.
The Miners could not get onto the scoreboard but did not give up and played to the final whistle.
In the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets were forced to punt on their opening drive. The Miners also were forced to punt but lost major yardage on a high snap on the punt that gave Tombstone the ball at the San Manuel 29 yard line. Tombstone would take the ball down to the 11 yard line but after a couple of holding penalties and the stout Miner defense, the Yellow Jackets gave the ball up to San Manuel on downs. The Miners took over at their own 17 yard and turned the ball over three plays as a Tombstone defender intercepted the pass at the Miners 37 yard line.
Tombstone capitalized on the San Manuel miscue and scored eight plays later when running back Dontae Otey took the ball up the middle of the line for a five yard touchdown run, the extra point kick by Erik Villegas was good for a 7 – 0 lead with 7:10 left in the first quarter. Tombstone drove 37 yards in eight plays taking 4:19 on the drive.
The Miners were forced to punt after five plays on their next drive, giving the ball to Tombstone at their own 25 yard line where nine plays later running back Will Boberg would take the ball in from seven yards out for the touchdown, the extra point kick by Villegas was good for a 14 – 0 Tombstone lead with 8:48 showing in the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets drove 75 yards in nine yards taking 4:55 on the drive.
San Manuel was forced once again to punt the ball away after going four plays; this would give the ball to the Yellow Jackets at their own 28 yard line. Tombstone would score seven plays as Boberg scampered in from 46 yards out for the touchdown, the extra point kick by Villegas was good for a 21 – 0 Tombstone lead with 4:26 left on the clock in the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets drove 72 yards in seven plays taking 2:22 on the drive.
The Miners set up at their own 25 yard line where they lost yardage on the first play of the drive, San Manuel fumbled the ball on the second play – giving the ball back to the Yellow Jackets at the Miners 15 yard line. With Tombstone poised and ready to score on the second play of the drive, Miner cornerback Daniel Medina intercepted a would – be touchdown in the end zone and returned the ball out to the San Manuel 40 yard line.
San Manuel set up at their own 40 but fumbled the ball on the second play of the drive to give Tombstone the ball back at the Miners 34 yard line. Tombstone score five plays later when Otey capped off the drive with a three yard run into the end zone with :02 left before the half, the extra point kick by Villegas was good for a Tombstone lead 28 – 0 . Tombstone drove 34 yards in five plays taking :46 on the drive.
The Miners went into the half down 28 – 0.
In the third quarter, the Miners had the opening drive and were lined up at their own 20 yard line when on the third play of the drive – Tombstones cornerback Nick Angarita stepped in on a Miner pass for the interception and returned the ball 40 yards for the touchdown, the extra point kick by Villegas was good for 35 – 0 lead with 11:00 showing on the clock in the third quarter.
The Miners began the next drive from their own 22 yard line but gave up the ball on downs after going three and out. Tombstone set up at the San Manuel 30 yard line and scored when Boberg capped of the drive four plays later from four yards out for the touchdown, the extra point kick by Villegas was good for a 42 – 0 score with 6:55 left in the third quarter. Tombstone drove 30 yards in four plays taking 1:47 on the drive. The AIA imposed running clock began to run on the Miners, the rule states that any team is up by 42 points on another team – the clock will continue to run except for injuries and time outs.
Time had run out on the Miners as they were unable to get on the scoreboard but they will look to re-group and focus on the next job on the punch list.
Offensively; Rushing – Shane Kelly rushed 11 times for 32 yards, Ben Quijada rushed five times for 17 yards, and Richard Romo rushed two times for five yards. Passing – Bryan Valdez went 5 for 16 with 102 yards and two interceptions. Receiving – Alvaro Alvarez had two receptions for 60 yards, Shane Kelly had one reception for 30 yards, Daniel Medina had one reception for 10 yards, and Ben Quijada had one reception for two yards.
Defensively – Shane Kelly had seven tackles, Anthony Garcia had six tackles and one forced fumble, Armando Sierra had five tackles, Jordan Peasley had five tackles, and Daniel Medina had four tackles with one interception returned for 25 yards.
Head Coach Steve Elmore said, “It was a tough game from the start for us littered with penalties, mistakes, missed tackles, and turnovers. We need to rebound this Friday against Imagine Prep and start playing Miner Football like we know it can be played.”
The Miners will host Imagine Prep on Friday at Fred Littau Field; kick off is slated for 6 pm.
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