Jose Herrera

Stingy defense helps Sunnyside to 2-0 start

By MATT MESSINA
Tucson Citizen

As usual, it's looking like the Sunnyside High School football team has one of the best defenses in town.

"It's been a whole unit playing together, that's what makes them good," coach Richard Sanchez said. "We have 11 guys doing their assignments."

It's been a job well done. Sunnyside has allowed 81 total yards and three points in two games.

"We preach and we work on getting eight guys to the football every time, and that's what we've been having," Sanchez said.

Next up for the Blue Devils is a home game against Chandler Basha at 7 tonight.

Basha has only allowed three points in three games, and beat defending Class 5A Division II state champs Phoenix North Canyon last week.

The defensive attack is a team effort for the Blue Devils, with Jose Herrera a force on the line.

"I think he has like six sacks in two games," Sanchez said.

Herrera doesn't worry about his numbers, but said the focus is on the entire team.

"I think that we all want it so bad that we don't want to give up one play," Herrera said.

The defensive squad also recognizes the need for everybody to work together.

"It's very important because if one guy slacks, that could score a touchdown," Herrera said. "Everybody has to be on the same page at the same time. It's 11 players, not 10."

Another member of the powerful defense is defensive back Patrick Medina.

Medina also recognizes the importance of following assignments, a common theme among the defense. Many football players go out there trying to pad their stats. Medina is quite the exception.

"I don't have any (personal) goals," Medina said. "Just play as a team, win as a team."

This idea of winning as a team is helped by a strong chemistry that both of these players feel. While playing as a team may be the most important goal, the defense also enjoys it.

"We try to have fun at the same time," Herrera said. "Like we'll tell each other who could get the most tackles, or sacks or something. So it's a game, but at the same time we're trying to have fun."