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Nathan Molar (#22) powers through the Ft. Thomas defensive line with Chandler Coleman (#80) coming in for the assist.
The eighth-ranked Ray football team won its fourth-straight game, defeating visiting
Ft. Thomas last Friday, 56 – 22.
All four of the Cats’ victories so far this season have been lopsided, each by 25 points or more.
Senior Fabian Valenzuela returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and finished the game with a team-high 199 all-purpose yards, including 20 yards rushing, 20 receiving and 159 return yards. He also added a rushing touchdown and was one of the three receivers with a touchdown reception.
Ray’s wide receiver Dakota Willis (#15) ahead of the Ft. Thomas defenders.
Dakota Willis, a junior, and sophomore Eric Manriquez were the others.
Junior quarterback Jaden Pace threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, in addition to leading Ray with 219 total yards against the Apaches.
Senior running back Nathan Molar rushed for a team-high 94 yards on 12 carries, an average of nearly eight yards per carry.
Eric Manriquez catches a pass for a touchdown.
After leading at halftime, 36 – 8, the Cats outscored the Apaches 20 – 14 in the second half.
Senior Dyllin Lopez again starred for the Cats on defense, accounting for three of the team’s five sacks in the game. He also had four tackles-for-loss.
Molar led the Cats with 11 tackles, an interception and a sack. Valenzuela had 10 tackles.
Ray faces its stiffest test to date when it travels to No. 6-ranked Superior this Friday.
The undefeated Panthers have posted consecutive shutouts and allowed only 12 points in their last four games.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Jaden Pace (#3) with the ball.
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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