Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Seniors Jason McGrath (14), Spencer Smith (36), and Tommy Hille (76) lead the Wildkats onto Packer Field following the halftime break. The rest of the 2020 roster included two juniors, four sophomores, and seven freshmen. McGrath rushed for a touchdown and connected with Smith for another. Smith had 78 yards on four receptions, Hille 44 yards on 10 carries, and McGrath 40 yards on seven carries. Defensively, McGrath totaled 23 tackles (6 solo, 17 assisted)), Smith 13 tackles (2 solo, 11 assisted), and Hille 10 tackles (1 solo, 9 assisted).
By Raymundo Frasquillo
SAINT DAVID – The Eric Bejarano-coached Duncan Wildkats will be taking on the Tigers in Saint David for a South Region pairing Friday, Oct. 16.
Duncan (0-2 overall, 0-1 region) has averaged a score of 14-37 (28-74) per game or a 23-point deficit. The Wildkats have losses of 14-28 to East Region Tempe Prep (Oct. 2) and 14-46 to San Manuel (Oct. 9).
Saint David (2-0, 1-0) has averaged a score of 48-7 (95-14) per game or a 41-point margin. The Tigers topped East Region Tempe Prep 50-14 (Oct. 2) and Elfrida Valley Union 45-0 (Oct. 9).
The other South Region members, San Manuel (2-0, 1-0) is at Fort Thomas (0-2, 0-0) and Valley Union (0-2, 0-1) is at West Region Mohave Accelerated (0-2, 0-0).
San Manuel has a 46-14 region win over Duncan (Oct. 9). The Miners’ scheduled season opener with Winkelman Hayden was canceled.
Fort Thomas has losses to East Region members Cicero Prep (16-32) on Oct. 2 and to Tempe Prep (6-56) on Oct. 9 and Valley Union’s losses have been to East Region Superior (0-54) on Oct. 2 and to Saint David (0-45) on Oct. 9.
Miners – 46, Wildkats – 14
Duncan scored twice in a 3:26 span during the fourth quarter, covering three yards in two plays taking 10 seconds and 39 yards in three plays taking 29 seconds. Fumble recoveries by freshmen Payton Bigler and Rowdy Patton set up both scoring drives. Senior quarterback Jason McGrath ran in from a foot out (6-40) and connected with senior Spencer Smith for a 38-yard scoring pass. McGrath added the conversion run for a 26-point (14-40) deficit with 4:32 left to play. It was not enough.
San Manuel drove 55 yards in eight plays for its final score, taking a knee on the conversion attempt with four seconds remaining.
Duncan also took a knee to end the game.
The teams both totaled nine possessions for the game, three in the first half and six in the second.
San Manuel scored twice and ran out of time on its third in the first half. The Miners covered 70 yards in 10 plays, 52 yards in 11 plays, and ran out of time following six plays.
Sophomore Matias Medina ran in on 4th-and-goal from three yards out and junior Noah Huerta made the conversion run for a 6-point advantage with 2:54 left in the opening quarter. Junior Isiah Lopez ran in on 2nd-and-goal from the seven and made the conversion run with 5:37 left in the second quarter.
Duncan’s three possessions resulted with a punt twice and on downs during the third. The Wildkats’ first three possessions of the second half resulted in a turnover on downs, a punt, and an interception.
San Manuel scored during its first two possessions of the second half and a third possession carried into the fourth quarter with a score. The Miners covered 70 yards in nine plays, 83 yards in two plays, and 55 yards in four plays.
Medina went 45 yards and added the conversion run for a 24-point advantage with 7:23 left in the third quarter. Huerta covered 77 yards and Medina added the conversion run for a 32-point advantage with 2:24 left in the third quarter. Medina went 29 yards and added the conversion run for a 40-point advantage with 11:47 left in the fourth quarter.
The Wildkats gained 150 yards, 71 on 26 carries and 79 on five receptions compared to 454 yards, 387 on 65 carries and 67 on four catches by the Miners.
McGrath averaged 5.7 (7-40) yards per carry, senior Tommy Hille 4.4 (10-44) yards, freshman Diego Montoya 2.0 (1-2) yards, and junior Isaac Duarte minus 1.9 (8 for minus 15) yards.
Smith averaged 19.5 (4-78) yards on receptions. McGrath completed 5-11 passes for 79 yards with one interception. Montoya went 0-3.
Defensively, McGrath totaled 23 tackles (6 solo, 17 assisted), Smith 13 (2 solo, 11 assisted), junior Austin Bigler 11 (2 solo, 9 assisted), Duarte seven (2 solo, 5 assisted), freshman Sean Webb seven (3 solo, 4 assisted), and Montoya five assisted. Sophomore Logan Basteen sacked the quarterback twice, and both Payton Bigler and Patton recovered a fumble.
For the Miners, Medina averaged 9.1 (17-155) yards per carry, Huerta 8.7 (17-148) yards, Lopez 6.5 (2-13) yards, and Madrid 5.9 (12-71) yards.
Freshman Nicolas Velasquez completed 3-8 passes for 63 yards and Huerta 1-2 for four yards. Medinaaveraged 21.0 (3-63) yards per catch.
Defensively, Medina totaled 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assisted), Madrid eight (3 solo, 5 assisted), Huerta five (2 solo, 3 assisted), and senior Jason Del Rio five (4 solo, 1 assisted). Junior Justin Tafoya had a sack.
