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Ray’s Fabian Valenzuela (#25) is felled by a Hayden defender.
The latest edition of the Hayden-Ray rivalry took place last Friday night in Kearny and ended with the Lobos soundly defeating the Bearcats, 44 – 14.
“We did a good job,” Hayden head coach John Estrada told the Copper Basin News. “We executed and the kids were hungry. They performed well.”
The win was the fourth-straight for the Lobos, who started the season with back-to-back losses against St. David and NFL YET, a pair of top-ten teams.
Recovering a loose ball.
After getting banged up in the two early-season losses, the Lobos are again fully healthy and it’s made a difference.
“It’s totally different when a team is healthy and we’re able to execute,” he said. “We’ve been able to keep climbing the ladder.”
During the four-game winning streak, Hayden’s average margin of victory is 36 points, nearly the same number they defeated the Cats by on Friday.
Ray High School Marching Band at Halftime.
For Ray, the loss is costly with another forfeit win upcoming this week as the result of North Phoenix Prep.
“Once again, it was the passing game that got us,” Ray head coach Frank Lechuga said. “And we weren’t able to capitalize on the fumbles we created.”
The Cats host No. 2 Superior in the regular-season finale for both teams on Oct. 14. It’s likely a must-win game for Ray if they want any hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Hayden will host the mighty Panthers this Friday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Ray Homecoming Royalty 2016
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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