Sunnysideβs game plan against Marana was simple: chew up the clock by running the football and keeping the Tigersβ high-scoring offense on the sideline as much as possible.
That part worked. Fridayβs game featured only 11 total possessions, including just four in the first half. However, Marana countered Sunnysideβs agenda with three takeaways β and quarterback Elijah Joplinβs two rushing touchdowns β on the way to a 21-6 win over Sunnyside on Friday night for homecoming.
The 21 points marked a season low for Marana, which had been averaging 48 points per game entering Friday night.
βTheir game plan coming in was keeping the ball away from our high-powered offense, so we figured they were going to run the ball,β Marana coach Philip Steward said. βWe told the boys all week, βTheyβre going to run the ball and try to get nasty. If we stop them and get on offense to do what we do best and thatβs score points.β
βThe possessions we were able to get, we took advantage of it. β¦ Sunnyside did a good job, but our defense held strong, we gave the ball to our offense and we were able to capitalize on those opportunities.β
Facing a fourth-and-11 on its first possession of the game, Marana pulled off a fake punt. Tigers punter Jaelen Collins rushed 12 yards for a first down on a to extend the drive.
Joplin scampered 30 yards for a touchdown for the first score of the game.
βI have a read with the (defensive) end and he kept crashing in, so it was my job to pull the ball. I was just doing my job,β Joplin said.
The Blue Devils were knocked back 10 yards on a sack to set up a 39-yard field goal attempt on their second possession, but missed. The Tigers turned Sunnysideβs misfortune into points, with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Joplin to star sophomore receiver Dezmen Roebuck to grab a 13-0 lead at halftime.
Maranaβs Dezmen Roebuck foils Sunnysideβs Samario Garciaβs potential touchdown catch in the third quarter of their game.
Marana senior safety Sam Brown recovered a fumble on Sunnysideβs first drive of the second half, but Blue Devils junior linebacker Carlos Madrid avenged the turnover with a fumble recovery the following play.
Sunnyside quarterback Deion Conde launched a 41-yard pass to senior Cesar Alcantar for a touchdown to cut the deficit 13-6 with 11:46 left to play.
Marana recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt by Sunnyside, putting themselves squarely in the driverβs seat. However, Sunnyside forced a Joplin fumble on a sack, and the Blue Devils recovered.
Marana got even moments later, when Collins intercepted Conde on a deep pass that would have tied the a game. Given the ball back, Joplin again used his legs to score a 68-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion pass from Joplin to Brown made it 21-6. Joplin completed 11 of 19 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown, and rushed nine times for a team-high 145 yards and two scores.
βWe saw on film that they struggled against running quarterbacks, so I told βJopβ this week, βYouβre going to have to run it a few times,ββ Steward said. βToday he showed off his speed β I donβt know where he got those wheels from. But Iβm just glad he showed off his speed, helped us get down field to get this victory.β
Brownβs second takeaway of the game, an interception, sealed the win for Marana late. Conde completed 10 of 21 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off twice.
βBig-play Sam Brown, man, he does that for us every week,β Steward said. βIf itβs not on offense, itβs on defense. He does everything you want a player to do. Today he made plays, and Iβm just proud of him.β
Added Joplin: βIn a low-scoring game, big plays are the difference maker. Itβs hard to stay disciplined in a slow-paced game, especially with so many plays. Iβm glad we stayed disciplined on offense and defense.β
Roebuck led the Tigers with seven catches for 105 yards and a score, and Matthew Jensen had six grabs for 57 yards.
Marana (6-1) will travel to Flowing Wells for a Friday-night game. Sunnyside (4-3) hosts Cholla at 10 a.m. Saturday.
βWeβre in a good position,β Steward said. βAt this point, weβre healthy and we have a bunch of young guys coming up and helping us get ready for the playoffs.β
Photos: Sunnyside at Marana, high school football
Marana's Samuel Brown (11) exults after recovering a Sunnyside fumble deep in Blue Devil territory in the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Elijah Joplin (6) races untouched for the final Tiger score against Sunnyside in the fourth quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) foils Sunnyside's Samario Garcia's (5) potential touchdown catch in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Maranaβs Logan Thatcher and his teammates join the cheerleaders in singing to the fans following the Tigersβ 21-6 win on Oct. 21. The Tigers will host a Class 5A state playoff game on Friday.
Marana's Matthew Jensen (24) tries to step out of the hand of Sunnyside's Mikey Lopez (7) in the first quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Elijah Joplin (6) rolls out and looks for an open target as the Sunnyside defense closes in at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Jaelen Collins (4) snares Sunnyside's Jordan Barron (4) on his end run in the second quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's head coach Phillip Steward and his staff offer advice during a Tiger stand in the defensive red zone against Sunnyside at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Samuel Brown (11), bottom, and Matthew Jensen (24) dump Sunnyside's Jose Ramirez (13) for a loss in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Samuel Brown (11), top, and Jason Wood (5) scramble over Sunnyside's Mekhi Gaskin (14) in pursuit of a loose ball in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Sunnyside's Max Flores (12) hops out of the grip of Marana's Markus Gonzales (52) after his catch in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Matthew Jensen (24) gets a hold of Sunnyside's Deion Conde (8) stopping his keeper up the middle at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Sunnyside's head coach Thomas Romack talks over the next play with quarterback Diego Arellano (1) in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Markus Gonzales (52) wraps up Sunnyside's Jose Ramirez (13) to bring him down at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana receiver's coach Jordan Kirschner comes out to celebrate Jaelen Collins's (4) interception against Sunnyside in the fourth quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) tiptoes past Sunnyside's Mikey Lopez (7) to get the ball out of the Tiger backfield at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
Marana's receivers run routes as the sun set over the field as the Tigers prepares to go against Sunnyside at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., October 21, 2022.
