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Sunnyside's Jovan Stevenson
slips the tackle of Marcos de Niza's David Oros on his way
to a touchdown in the third quarter. |
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jim
davis /
Arizona
Daily Star |
No. 2 seed Sunnyside rolls to 5A-II title game
Ben Glicksman
Special for
The Republic
Nov. 24, 2006 11:17 PM
Tucson Sunnyside ended the Cinderella run of No. 11 seed Tempe
Marcos de Niza in the Class 5A Division II semifinals Friday
night at Tucson Flowing Wells High School.
Second-seeded Sunnyside scored two third-quarter touchdowns to
win 21-14.
"We made some adjustments (at halftime) because our kids had
to come out in the second half and do a better job," Sunnyside
coach Richard Sanchez said. advertisement
Sunnyside (11-2, 5-0) will play for the state title next
Saturday at 5 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium against
No. 1 seed Peoria Centennial.
"It feels great to get there," Sunnyside quarterback Sammy
Olivas said. "It's big for this team and the community."
The first touchdown capped Sunnyside's opening possession of
the second half. It came with 5:26 on clock when Olivas found
Zac Holmes open for the 9-yard strike. It was Olivas' second
touchdown pass of the day and broke a 7-7 tie.
"We started out pretty slow," Olivas said. "We talked at
halftime and knew that we had to pick it up.
"Our offensive line was extraordinary. They gave me protection
and opened up running room."
Jovan Stevenson was the beneficiary of the running lanes
opened by the Sunnyside offensive line. He rushed for 200
yards on 24 carries and had a rushing and receiving touchdown,
despite having been hampered all week by a sprained left
ankle. He sat out the first offensive series.
"It's a big game, and I was expecting to get in because I'm
the guy everybody's looking at," Stevenson said. "My ankle
feels a lot better now."
Sanchez said Stevenson sitting out the first series was part
of the game plan.
"He's healthy and did a great job tonight," Sanchez said. "We
don't play mind games. We just wanted to give (Marcos de Niza)
something new to look at."
Marcos de Niza (6-7) had trouble getting a read on the
Sunnyside defense all night. It gave up four sacks and an
interception. |
