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The Ray football team entered last Friday’s season opener versus Gilbert Christian with the challenge of replacing a number of players from last year’s playoff team. The Bearcats have the fewest number of returning seniors that they’ve had in some time.
“We find ourselves in a different role this year,” Ray head coach Willie Jordan said before the first game of the season. “We have a well-rounded team that will be tested from the start of the season.”
Perhaps no truer words could’ve been spoken and in such a prophetic way.
The Cats faced a Gilbert Christian team last Friday that reached the state semi-finals a year ago and is a team many suggest could make a state title run this season.
The Knights started fast, starting with a 22-point first quarter before adding 15 more in the second quarter to take a commanding lead at halftime, 37 – 12.
After the Knights took an early 6 – 0 lead, the Cats answered when Austin Huffman connected with Jeron Coleman on a 44-yard touchdown pass and reception, tying the game at 6 – 6.
Ray added another score when quarterback Fabian Valenzuela ran it in from two yards out early in the second quarter to make the score 22 – 12.
The Knights continued to dominant in the second half, outscoring the Cats 19 – 0 on their way to a 56 – 12 victory.
Ray will look to rebound this week in their first road game of the season at Valley Union, another playoff team from last year.
Kickoff for Friday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Ray athletes work on their form during a practice last week. The team plays Valley Union Friday.
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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