Stevenson shines for Sunnyside

JESSIE VANDERSON
Tucson Citizen

Great players are at their best when the chips are down.

Sunnyside was struggling on both offense and defense Friday in a Class 5A Division II playoff game. Then Blue Devils running back Jovan Stevenson put on his Superman suit and helped lead his team to a 16-3 win over visiting Phoenix Barry Goldwater.

"We told him at halftime that we were going to need more out of him," Sunnyside offensive coordinator Glenn Posey said.

The Blue Devils (9-2) got a 4-yard touchdown run by Stevenson in the first quarter and a 53-yard score by the senior with 4:08 left to go.

"This game was kind of like practice for me," Stevenson said. "In practice, I am expected to make plays.

"I owe it to my line. I love them to death. My fullback (Luis Acuna), I love him to death. He led me through the hole."

On defense, sophomore Alfred Leon helped save the day with two interceptions, including one in the end zone.

He was called up to the varsity squad just two weeks ago.

The Blue Devils pounded out 246 yards on the ground and held Goldwater to 129 total yards.

The victory by the No. 5 Blue Devils set up a rematch against Ironwood Ridge next week.

The No. 4-seeded Nighthawks beat Sunnyside 15-14 two weeks ago.