Photo By Scott Madrid: Tristen Sanchez breaks the 6-6 tie with this 18-yard reception from Joey Seballos to start the fourth quarter. Morenci defeated Round Valley, 24-6.
By Jon Johnson
EAGAR – Two up, two down. This 3A Conference doesn’t seem too hard so far, Morenci (2-0) fans might ponder.
Hard not to when your team goes into Eagar and defeats Round Valley (0-1) in the dome 24-6 for Morenci’s first win at that facility.
Tristen Sanchez caught an 18-yard go-ahead TD at the start of the fourth quarter to break a 6-6 stalemate and the Wildcats never looked back.
And while after two straight 3A teams to start the season one might think the Wildcats are getting a break next week traveling to face the 2A San Pedro Benson Bobcats, but one would likely be wrong.
After not allowing ALA-Ironwood on the board in the opening-week game, Morenci’s defense stepped up again and limited Round Valley to just 6 points.
Sanchez led the way on defense with 8 solo tackles, 5 for loss with 2 being QB sacks.
The defense helped put Morenci on the board and the defense secured the win. It began in the first quarter when John Provencio took an INT back 12 yards. Morenci would end up with a rushing touchdown in the first half from Mickey Casillas to break the ice.
Workhorse Casillas averaged 6.4 yards on the night on 24 carries with two touchdowns.
In the fourth, Austyn Nelson got a sack/fumble on Elk QB Brett Jordan, and Derick Lytle recovered it in the end zone to secure the victory. Morenci will next travel to face 2A Benson on Friday, Sept. 1, starting at 7 p.m.
