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MATT FRUEHLING/Tucson Citizen

Sunnyside's Nathan Vega (81) narrowly escapes Marana's Ralph Lopez (34).

Arizona Daily Star

Sunnyside 66,     Marana 0: 


At Marana, five different Blue Devils found their way into the end zone, spoiling Marana's homecoming. 

Sunnyside (7-0, 4-0 Sonoran) is now the only big school team in Southern Arizona without a loss this season. 

Canyon del Oro (6-1) lost a nonregion game to Scottsdale Horizon, and Sabino (6-1) was beaten by Amphitheater on Friday. 

Sunnyside started early, taking the opening kickoff to Marana's 34-yard line. Xavier Smith rushed for a touchdown five plays later for a 7-0 lead and never looked back. 

But Sunnyside did not just rely on Smith's feet. Backup sophomore quarterback Anthony Duarte, who started in place of a banged-up Jaime Cota, had a 29-yard keeper on Sunnyside's second drive, which set up a Mike Smith 2-yard touchdown. 

Duarte "looked good," said Blue Devils coach Richard Sanchez, who earned his 100th career win. "Our best shot is still with Jaime, but Anthony is quite an athlete." 

Cota did get some playing time, however, and he made the most of it. He connected with George Garza for two scores. 

- Paul Iiams