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Ray High Bearcats
The Ray football team turned the tables last Friday night at Ft. Thomas and pick up its first win of the season as a result, spoiling the Apaches home opener and coming way with a 68 – 12 victory.
The Bearcats, who had surrendered an average of 59 points per game in their first two games, limited the Apaches to only 12 points thanks to an improved defensive effort.
“We’ve made some strides, but we’re still not there,” Ray head coach Frank Lechuga said about the Cats’ defense. “They’re two touchdowns came on passes, where we had some blown coverages.”
Sophomore Jaden Pace, who was named the Offensive Player of the Game, threw for three touchdowns and rushed for three more to lead the Cats’ offensive juggernaut. Fabian Valenzuela finished with two touchdown receptions and a rushing touchdown while senior running back Paul Wormwood added a rushing score.
“We spread the ball around and got our passing game into the attack,” Lechuga told the Copper Basin News. “We finally had that two-dimensional offense that we needed and we weren’t relying solely on the running game. The passing game really helped out this week.”
Defensively, junior Nathan Molar continued his outstanding play for the third week in a row.
“He’s a monster on defense,” Lechuga said.
After playing three-straight road games to open their season, the Cats will finally play in front of the home fans this Friday versus Baboquivari. They’ll enter the home opener with some needed confidence.
“You could tell in their eyes and the way that they carried themselves that the win helped their confidence,” said Lechuga, who earned his first varsity win. “They know what they need to do to keep winning and getting that first one really helped with all the hard work they put in.”
Let’s hope it shows on Friday night.
Friday’s kickoff is scheduled for 7 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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