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Sunnyside's 2nd-quarter run deflates Millennium's hopes
Chris Traphagan
Special for The Republic
Sept. 11, 2004 12:00 AM
The two-minute drill is a fine art in football, and Tucson Sunnyside's
Xavier Smith turned in his own one-man masterpiece Friday at Goodyear Millennium.
Smith, a senior tailback/linebacker, blew open a tight
three-point game late in the second quarter, as he exploded for three
touchdowns in less than three minutes. That turned what was a
competitive contest into a 32-0 romp for the No. 1 Blue Devils.
Sunnyside's three-minute barrage began with a 6-yard
TD run from Smith, putting Sunnyside up 9-0. On Millennium's ensuing
possession, Smith intercepted Millennium quarterback Kirt Brais and ran
untouched into the end zone for a score to put Sunnyside (3-0) up 16-0.
The final dagger came 48 seconds later with Sunnyside
at Millennium's 32-yard line after a partially blocked punt. Sunnyside
quarterback
Jaime Cota connected with
George Garza
for 27 yards on the first play, and Smith bulled his way into the end
zone on the next play to put the Blue Devils up 23-0 at the half. Smith
finished the night with 134 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just
17 carries.
Sunnyside coach Richard Sanchez said Smith's interception was a huge play in more than one way.
"We've been waiting for that," Sanchez said. "We've
gotten our hands on a lot of balls this season, but we haven't been
picking them. That was definitely good to see that."
Millennium's sideline noticeably drooped after
Sunnyside's scoring spree, something Millennium coach Mark Smith said
will have to change.
"Bad things are going to happen in a game, and you have to deal with them," Smith said. |
