San Manuel Miner
The San Manuel football team, riding a four game winning streak, entered last Friday’s game against tenth-ranked Pusch Ridge Christian Academy with an opportunity to move up in the AIA rankings. A win versus the Lions likely would put the Miners in playoff contention. Unfortunately, the Miners couldn’t take advantage, losing to the Lions, 34 – 6.
Sixteen teams in Division five will make the playoffs. Five section winners and 11 at-large bids make up the playoff bracket.
The Miners were ranked 24th before last week’s game and figured to make a substantial climb with a win. With only three games remaining, including the season finale against 12th-ranked San Tan Foothills, the 4 – 3 Miners now face an uphill battle.
The Miners kept it close early last Friday against the section-leading Lions, trailing 7 – 6 at the end of the first quarter. But the Lions turned it on from there, outscoring the Miners 27 – 0 the rest of the way.
The Miners host Santa Cruz Valley this Friday at 6:00 p.m.