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Combs’ junior running back Erick Guerra scored four touchdowns and the Yotes’ defense returned to form in a 52 – 0 lopsided victory against cross-San Tan Valley foe San Tan Foothills last Friday night.
Both teams entered the game coming off disappointing losses a week ago, but it was the Yotes who were able to take out a week’s worth of frustration in their home opener.
“We came out focused,” Combs head coach Jesse Hart said after the game. “The entire week we were focused. Losing is a tough thing to do and it leaves it a bad taste in your mouth all week. But the boys had a great week of practice; probably the best we’ve had. They came out fired up and they played well.”
Guerra and Jake Green combined for 243 of the Coyotes’ 365 rushing yards in the game and five touchdowns, including four in the first half.
Green setup the first touchdown of the game, scampering 62 yards on the Yotes opening possession before Guerra capped off the drive with his first touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run.
The Yotes’ defense increased the lead to 8 – 0 with a safety on San Tan’s ensuing possession and the ambush was about to start from there.
Combs returned to the free kick 50 yards to the Cats 25-yard line and a few plays later quarterback Ethan Hunt rushed seven-yards for his first of two rushing touchdowns in the game. A 2-pt PAT made it 16 – 0 barely midway through the first quarter.
An interception by Sheldon Pearson setup the Yotes’ next score, a 10-yard touchdown run by Guerra, his second of the game.
Fide Quirarte’s interception gave Combs’ another scoring opportunity and they capitalized again. This time on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Hunt to Andres Romero.
At the end of the first quarter the Yotes led the Sabercats, 28 – 0.
Second quarter touchdown runs by Green, Hunt, and Guerra increased the Coyotes lead to 46 – 0 at the half.
“Coach Miller put in a great game plan,” Hart said about his team’s offensive performance. “He had a couple of new things this week but, again, the boys knew they needed to step up and offensively we did that.”
“We really hit the ground running,” Hunt added. “We knew we had to pick it up and we did it.”
It was dreadful first half for the Cats, who had less than 25 players in uniform, were out-numbered and out-manned. They were also without perhaps their best player – sophomore Manny Armenta – who was sidelined with an injury.
Guerra added his fourth touchdown of the game on the Yotes’ opening possession of the third quarter to account for the only scoring in the second half. He finished with 127 rushing yards on 23 carries.
“I couldn’t have done without the offensive line,” Guerra said. “The quarterback got me the ball and the line made sure no one blew through so that’s why I was able to get in the end zone.”
As impressive as the offense was, the Coyotes’ defense was equally impressive and bounced back in a big way after a surprisingly poor effort last week against Estrella Foothills.
“Giving up two big plays like we did last week – that’s embarrassing to our defense,” Hart said. “They don’t ever want that to happen again. I expect our defense to come out and dominate every single week.”
The Coyotes will look to make it two wins in-a-row when they host Pusch Ridge Christian Academy this Friday.
The Sabercats travel to face fourth-ranked American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek Friday.
For both games, kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Combs’ band performs during halftime of last Friday’s football game.
Battle of San Tan Valley – STFHS (Gray) vs. Combs (Black)
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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