The Hayden football team finally opened its season last Friday, defeating visiting Mogollon, 38 – 20. The Lobos were the last of the Copper Area teams to play their first game.
“The team played well,” Hayden head coach John Estrada told Copper Basin News. “We made some mistakes early in the game that hurt us but finished strong. We have plenty of room for improvement.”
Senior Jorge Rodriguez rushed for a team-high 133 yards and a touchdown in the win. Junior quarterback AJ Castillo three for 160 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, one each to Adrian Estrada, a junior, and senior Vincente Aguirre, who also scored on a 75-yard pick-six. Senior Gibby Carmelo rushed for an 11-yard touchdown and converted three two-point conversions.
Estrada was impressed with the performance of his defensive line, an area of concern entering the game because of Mogollon’s offense.
“Mogollon runs an unbalanced line; they pull their guards, run traps, and counters,” he said. “Our defensive line really stepped it up, dominated their line and won the battle in the trenches. As a whole, our defense was very physical and hit like Hayden Lobos do.”
Up next: At Baboquivari on Friday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
