Hayden’s Jorge Rodriguez (33) heads down field during the first round of playoffs.
It wasn’t the Hayden football team’s best performance, but it was good enough to reach this week’s quarterfinals after the No. 5 Lobos defeated No. 12 Anthem Prep in the first-round of the 1A State Championship Playoffs last Friday, 34 – 21.
“It was ugly, but we’ll take the (win),” Hayden head coach John Estrada said. “Anthem Prep brought it. We made many mistakes. In order for us to stay alive in the playoffs we need to play our best football.”
The Lobos will make the more than three-hour trip to face No. 4 Salome in the quarterfinals this Friday.
“It’s a concern, and our away record is not good by any means,” Estrada said about the long trip.
What’s it going to take to defeat the Frogs?
“Salome is very fast,” Estrada responded. “They run a lot of misdirection plays. We’ll need to stay home and do our jobs and be physical.”
Friday’s kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Hayden brings the ball down field on the way to another touchdown.
A Hayden defender brings down an Anthem Prep player.