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Number 40 Shane Kelly tackles the Tombstone ball carrier. On the field is also Aramando Sierra, Bryan Valdez, Lawrecne M. Sanchez, Fabian Russo Garcia, Juan (Isidoro) Wasko. Leticia Velasquez | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
The Miners football team won its first game of the year last Friday, the team’s home opener, against Tombstone, 28 – 20. Friday’s game was also the home debut of new Miners’ head coach David Ward, who earned his first win at San Manuel.
“The players have done a really good job,” Ward said after the game. “They come to practice, they work hard, and we had a good run-to-pass ratio (in the game).”
After two lopsided defeats to start the season, in which the Miners scored a total of six points, they scored 28 points last Friday. According to Ward, the difference in Friday’s game compared to the first two was finally having his full allotment of players available. Several players missed the first two games due to injury, forcing the remaining players to play out of position.
Ward says he and the players are still learning about each other but it’s getting better each day. He has a better feel for putting certain players at certain positions so they can have success, both individually and as a team.
The Miners have a bye this week and will prepare for the Homecoming game on September 26 against visiting San Carlos. The Braves are winless so far this season. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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