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By Frank Smith
The San Manuel Miners football team headed down to Tombstone for a shoot-out with the Yellow Jackets, the Miners went into the game posting a 2 – 0 record while the Yellow Jackets posted a 1- 1 record including a 51 – 20 win over Bisbee, the Miners knew they in were in for a tough fight – taking the loss 28 – 18.
The Miners had the opening game possession and punted the ball after a three and out.
Tombstone would take their opening possession in for a score with William Braswell scoring on a five yard touchdown run into the end zone on the ninth play of the drive, the two point conversion was no good for a 6 – 0 lead at the 7:00 mark of the first quarter.
The Miners were forced to punt again on their next possession after five plays.
The Yellow Jackets would begin their drive at their own 49 yard line cashing in on a one yard touchdown run eight plays later with Bryant James converting on the two point conversion to add to the lead 14 – 0 with 4:02 left in the first quarter. Tombstone drove 51 yards in eight plays taking 1:28 on the drive.
In the second quarter, the Miners would punt the ball away, giving Tombstone the ball at their own 33 yard line. The Yellow Jackets would give the ball right back as the Miners defense stepped up with Danny Quijada sticking the running back forcing the ball airborne with Andre Sierra catching the ball mid air for the fumble recovery – giving the Miners the ball and the momentum.
Tombstone would score one more time before the half as the Yellow Jackets scored in two plays, as time was expiring in the half, the Yellow Jackets quarter back dropped back and threw a deep pass towards the end zone that was caught for a 54 yard touchdown with :00 showing on the clock. The two point conversion was good for a 22 – 12 lead at the half. Tombstone drove 77 yards in two plays taking :44 on the drive.
In the third quarter, the Miners would put together another scoring drive after a Tombstone punt, the Miners lined up at the Yellow Jacket 40 yard line, San Manuel would only take three plays on the drive as running back Shane Kelly hit the left side of the offensive line for a 35 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion was no good for a 18 – 22 score at the 6 :30 mark of the third quarter. The Miners drove 40 yards in three plays taking 1:04 on the drive.
Later in the fourth quarter, the Miners drove down to the Tombstone nine yard line fumbling the ball giving the ball back to the Yellow Jackets for their last score of the game.
Tombstone scored in two plays on an 82 yard run from their own 18 yard line with the PAT no good for a 28 – 18 lead with 5:30 left in the game. The Yellow Jackets drove 89 yards in two plays taking 1:03 on the drive.
The Miners would get the ball back putting together a nine play drive down to the Tombstone 13 yard line where Tristian Woodard stepped in on the Miners pass for the interception.
Tombstone took over at their own 13 yard line – taking a knee to end the game with the final score Tombstone 28 – San Manuel 18.
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