2 Devils, 660-plus yards

Stevenson, Valdez help Sunnyside run record to 6-0

JESSIE VANDERSON
Tucson Citizen

Jovan Stevenson and Jamie Valdez put on a show-stopping performance Friday night.

The Sunnyside High duo combined for more than 660 yards in total offense as the Blue Devils outslugged Sierra Vista Buena 56-30 in the Tucson Citizen Spotlight Game of the Week.

The win moved the host Blue Devils to 6-0 overall while the Colts fell to 1-5.

Running back Stevenson, who finished with 393 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, burned the Colts with his hands and legs. He caught seven throws for 117 yards and rushed for a game-high 276 yards.

"I am the playmaker. I am the team leader, so I have to step it up and make things happen," Stevenson said.

Valdez bruised the Colts with his arm and legs. He nailed senior slot receiver Alonso Berrellez on a post route for a 55-yard touchdown on the Blue Devils' second offensive play of the game.

That put Sunnyside up 7-0. The Blue Devils would never trail.

"I believe in my receivers, and I believe in my offensive line," Valdez said. "Jovan can run the ball, and he can catch the ball. He is just an all-around athlete."

The same could be said of Valdez. He hit 12 of 21 throws for four touchdowns and 261 yards. He also scored on a 33-yard run late in the fourth quarter that increased Sunnyside's lead to 48-30. He finished with 116 yards rushing on 12 carries.

"His speed is a definite asset. We are using him to run the ball, and that keeps people honest when they are trying to overplay Jovan," Sunnyside offensive coordinator Glenn Posey said.

The Blue Devils had 664 yards of total offense.

"I cannot complain about the output of the offense tonight," Posey said. "(Valdez) started clicking in the second half and started hitting the open guy."

That open man was often Stevenson, who scored three times on pass receptions in the second half.

Stevenson, who scored on runs of 64 and 2 yards in the first quarter, grabbed TD throws of 26 and 31 yards in the third quarter and one of 51 yards in the fourth.

Running back Jamal Womble rushed for 182 yards on 17 attempts to lead the Colts.