By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – They say it’s not how you start but how you finish. That couldn’t be truer in the case of the Safford Bulldogs homecoming football game against Morenci on Friday, where Safford started with six turnovers and one punt in its first seven possessions.
The Bulldogs’ defense kept them in the game, and two straight scoring drives from the offense at the end were enough to outlast the Wildcats, 13-12.
Safford (2-3 conference, 4-3 overall) remains unbeaten in region play but fell to second place in the 3A South due to Pusch Ridge playing and winning its first regional game. The Lions have a higher conference ranking at 4-1 and therefore sit atop the 3A South. Thatcher has yet to play a regional game, otherwise, the Eagles would be in first position as they are unbeaten (5-0) in the conference.
Morenci (1-3 conference, 2-4 overall) currently sits in fourth position in the 3A South.
The Bulldogs had a lot of pomp and circumstance before the game with the re-dedication of Herman BB Andrews Track and Field with the new artificial turf made possible through funding help by WIFA.
Morenci came down from the hill ready to rumble and instantly put all the noise behind them on their first play from scrimmage as Julian Aragon busted open a run to the left and chugged along the sideline with blocker Marcus Lucero leading the way 66 yards to pay dirt. Xavier Owens blocked the extra point, but it took just 17 seconds for Morenci to open the game’s scoring. Nobody would score again until about 9 minutes left in the third.
While the teams weren’t scoring a lot, they were still moving the ball up and down the field; they just had trouble in the Red Zone, and twice Safford had big plays – including a would-be touchdown – called back for penalties.
After Morenci failed to convert on 4th and 1 from its own 22, Safford had a golden opportunity to get on the board. On 1st and 10 from the 12, quarterback Carlos Arbizo appeared to run in for the score but a holding penalty negated the play. Then on 4th and 17, Arbizo found Nathaniel Rodriguez over the middle but he caught and was down 4 yards short.
After a fumble recovery, Safford had another shot but came up short on 4th and 9 as Arbizo’s pass to Cole Goodman went for 7 yards.
Still, the Safford defense stepped up and forced Morenci into a 3-and-out punt. Arbizo then scrambled for about 22 yards down to the 16 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 11.3 seconds left in the half.
Arbizo then looked to the end zone while dancing in the pocket and fired one over the middle, but it was intercepted by Aundre McCauley at the 3 and Morenci took a 6-0 lead into halftime.
Safford’s poor luck extended into the third quarter as Jarett Jurado lost the ball on the Bulldogs’ first play from scrimmage in the second half and Chris Lopez recovered for Morenci.
The Wildcats immediately struck back and Aragon took a handoff around the left side down to the Bulldogs’ 20. A few plays later on 2nd and goal, Lopez kept it himself for the TD. A 2-point conversion attempt was thwarted by Nathaniel Rodriguez and Jace Jameson who shut down Diddy Lupita at the line of scrimmage. However, Morenci still led 12-0 with just over 9 minutes left in the third.
After both teams turned the ball over on downs, Safford faced a 4th and 1. This time, Arbizo extended the drive with a quarterback sneak. And on the very next play, Cole Yentsch took a handoff from Jurado on the reverse and Yentsch took it 54 yards before just getting tripped up at the 1. Arbizo finished it from there and Adan Leon kicked the PAT to bring Safford within a score, 12-7, with 1:17 left in the third quarter.
The defense again stepped up and forced a punt from Morenci. Now with the momentum fully on their side, Safford began taking chunks of yard on runs by Jurado and Collin Gunnett.
And then it happened, Arbizo was scrambling looking for a receiver when he threw on the run to Cole Goodman, who caught the ball 9 and had one man between him and history. Goodman plowed into Morenci’s Xavier Fernandez at the 5 and wouldn’t be denied as he ran over and dragged the defender into the end zone with him for the go-ahead score. The PAT was blocked, but Safford had its first lead of the night, 13-12, with 7 minutes left to play.
The Bulldogs’ defense held court as Morenci failed to advance across midfield as time ran down. After Lopez’s deep pass to Fernandez on 4th and 2 fell to the ground incomplete, the comeback was finished and Safford kneeled a few times to run out the rest of the clock for the 13-12 victory.
Safford will next travel to Eagar to take on the Round Valley Elks (1-3 conference, 3-3 overall) on Friday, Oct. 11, starting at 7 p.m.
Morenci won’t get a break and will next host region-leading Pusch Ridge (4-1 conference, 5-1 overall) on Friday, Oct. 11, starting at 7 p.m.
In other local prep action:
The Thatcher Eagles (5-0 conference, 5-1 overall) defeated Show Low, 42-16. The Eagles will next host the Sabino Sabercats (2-2 conference, 2-4 overall) on Thursday, Oct. 10, starting at 7 p.m. at EAC’s John Mickelson Field.
The Pima Roughriders (4-0 conference, 5-1 overall) defeated ALA – Anthem South, 58-7. The Roughriders will next host the Scottsdale Christian Eagles (3-2 conference, 3-3 overall) on Friday, Oct. 11, starting at 7 p.m.
The Fort Thomas Apaches (2-5 conference, 2-5 overall) fell to the Valley Union Blue Devils, 24-48. The Fort will host the St. David Tigers (6-1 conference, 6-1 overall) on Thursday, Oct. 11, starting at 7 p.m. This will be Fort Thomas’ final regular-season game.
The Duncan Wildkats (1-4 conference, 1-5 overall) fell to Ray, 20-40. The Wildkats will next host the Valley Union Blue Devils (4-2 conference, 4-2 overall) on Friday, Oct. 11, starting at 7 p.m.
