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Jr. Miners work together to bring the ball down the field. SMHS
Kevin Carter (69) and Michael Ochoa (76) work to bring down the Bearcat ball carrier. SMHS
Jr. Miner Julian Rodriguez (23) runs with the football while Javi Tamayo (4) and Michael Ochoa race to back him up. SMHS
Jr. Miner Julian Rodriguez (23) is brought down by some Bearcat defenders. SMHS
San Manuel Miner
San Manuel defeated Ray in Jr. High football last week, 20 – 0. The Jr. Miners are now 2 – 1 on the season.
Benny Laguna returned the opening kickoff 60 yards setting up the Jr. Miners’ offense at Ray’s 12-yard line. He later cashed in on the good field position, scoring on a four-yard run to give the Jr. Miners an early 6 – 0 lead.
The defenses of both teams controlled play for the remainder of the first half as San Manuel took the 6 – 0 lead to the locker room at halftime.
The Jr. Miners defense continued controlling the Jr. Bearcats’ offense in the second half while its offense finally was able to get on track. Caleb Quintero hit Rey Martinez near the end of the third quarter on a 65-yard pass play, setting up Laguna’s second touchdown of the game from five yards outs. After a failed PAT, the Jr. Miners led, 12 – 0.
Julian Rodriguez capped of the scoring for the Jr. Miners with a 41-yard touchdown run.
Defensive tackle Mike Ochoa dominated Ray’s offensive line throughout the game, according to head coach Dave Jungbluth, who was also pleased with the linebackers and secondary.
“I thought the kids played well defensively last (week),” Jungbluth said after the game. “Our offensive line needs to stay with their blocks longer.”
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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