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Sunnyside High School's
Alex Leon (left) and Bobby Rodriguez keep a pass intended
for Sierra Vista Buena's Manumalo Muasau (far left) from
reaching its intended destination. |
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RENEE BRACAMONTE /
Tucson Citizen |
Blue Devils roll over Colts
Jovan Stevenson runs for 313 yards
RODNEY HAAS
Tucson
Citizen
The Sunnyside High School football team couldn't be stopped on
the ground against visiting Sierra Vista Buena.
Jovan Stevenson ran wild, gaining 313 yards on 19 carries as
the Blue Devils blew open what had been a close game in the
second half for a 55-18 win in a Class 5A South game.
After Sunnyside quarterback Jamie Valdez was intercepted for
the second time, Blue Devils coach Richard Sanchez went
strictly to a running game to break open a 27-18 game.
The Blue Devils (5-2, 2-0) rushed for 490 total yards, led by
Stevenson's clinic.
"I knew I had it in me, I just needed to break it out and keep
it moving," Stevenson said.
Sanchez liked what he saw from his team in the game-ending
28-0 run.
"I wasn't really pleased with the first half with the way we
played on both offense and defense," he said. "The second half
the kids picked it up pretty good and Jovan - he ran the ball
like we expected him to run the ball."
Buena (4-3, 0-2) was playing without starting quarterback
Devin Veal, a University of Arizona recruit who was serving a
one-game suspension for an altercation in the Colts' 20-17
loss to Mountain View on Oct. 6.
"I wanted him to feel proud but we didn't win," said sophomore
Taylor Stone, who started in place for Veal.
Despite never throwing a pass at the varsity level prior to
Friday, Stone looked like a four-year starter early.
His first pass went for an 81-yard touchdown strike to
Manumalo Muasau.
Stone ended the night 8 of 25, with seven of those completions
coming in the first half.
"He showed some poise, staying in the pocket and taking some
hits there," Sanchez said.
But Stone wasn't happy.
"I could have done better,'' he said. "I could have helped the
team out a lot. There's a lot I can improve on." |
