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SC Dust Devil Varsity football wins big at Globe, 44-6
BY ROBBY GAL
Staff Writer
Published:
Santa Cruz went to Globe knowing it was the undersized Dust Devils versus the big Tigers. But instead, the Dust Devils used their speed to beat the Tigers and didn’t even worry about the size difference.
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“You play football because you love the game,” Ocampo said. “That’s what it’s all about. At the high school level, there shouldn’t be any other motivation.”
Coach Ocampo has heard the questions about his team being “too small,” and “undersized,” but he knew deep down they just needed to play their game and not turn the ball over.
Santa Cruz was looking to snap their four-game losing streak. Although during the losing streak Santa Cruz has increased its point total every week.
“We have some talented kids and they’re getting better and better every week,” Ocampo said.
Quarterback Orlando Meza, #11, led a Dust Devil offense that scored six touchdowns in the game.
After the Tigers scored the first touchdown of the game, the Dust Devils rattled off three straight first-quarter scores. Alejandro Arredondo, #82, scored the first on a 5-yard touchdown run and added the extra point to make it 7-6 Dust Devils.
Later in the first quarter, Meza tossed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Chris Bradley, # 89. Before the end of the quarter Meza connected again on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Major Harris, #48, to push the lead to 21-6.
In the second quarter the Dust Devils kept the pressure on when Meza threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tim Currier, # 87. The touchdown pass was Meza’s third of the game. To add insult to injury before the half, Kadeem Fields, #28, scored on a 25-yard touchdown run, pushing the Dust Devil lead to 31-6.
The third quarter was more of the same for the Dust Devils. Chase House, # 33, scored on a 27-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 37-6. To finish off the Tigers, Fields added his second rushing touchdown of the night, scoring on a 20-yard run, and an Arredondo extra point pushed the final score to 44-6.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Dust Devils were all over the field making tackles and pressuring the Globe offense the whole game. Gerardo Ramirez, #32, had two fumble recoveries for the Dust Devils on that night.
Ocampo knew what his team was capable of if they just cut down on the turnovers and got the high-powered offense back on track.
“When we don’t’ turn the ball over, we give people fits,” he said.
The Class 3A South Region game brought the Dust Devils to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in region. Globe falls to 1-4 in region and 2-6 overall. The Dust Devils win is a satisfying one for Coach Ocampo and his staff. The win just shows the team and staff just how good they can be when they play their game, and play balanced football.
Up next is the final game of the season for the Dust Devils, who welcome the Coolidge Bears (2-4, 4-5) to Eloy. The bitter rivals have had the game circled on the calendar all season. The Dust Devils and Bears are tied at 2-4 in 3A South Region play, making the game extra special.
During halftime of the game Friday night, Santa Cruz Valley Union High School will have induction ceremonies for its first ever Hall of Fame class. The rivalry game, the Hall of Fame ceremonies, and the final game of the season should prove to be a night to remember in Eloy. The game starts at 7 p.m. Friday night.
In other 3A South Region games, Empire got by Florence 21-18, Coolidge beat South Pointe 38-16, Fountain Hills crushed San Tan Foothills 72-0, and Round Valley beat Safford 34-19.
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