Badgers tripped up in Jamboree game

Nicholas Trujillo

CACTUS CHRONICLE

Six yards from the end zone, and just over a minute on the clock, THMS elected to go for the win on fourth and goal, and steal a crucial win over Sahuaro High School at Gridley Stadium.

Though Badger senior quarterback Donovan Moore saw a lane to the goal line, he was caught on a shoestring tackle by Sahuaro's senior lineman Adrian Ramos, who effectively ended the first scheduled Division II game, with the Cougars running out the clock for a 31-28 win.

Though the team and crowd were disappointed with end result, THMS found themselves playing catch-up for much of the game.

The Badgers put up two touchdowns within six minutes of the fourth quarter to erase a 24-14 deficit.

Senior Elijah Anderson returned a Cougar punt 51 yards for the first score of the fourth quarter. Two possessions later, the Badgers put the ball in the end zone with a three-yard run into the end zone by sophomore Bryce Coleman.

After a 28-24 Badger lead, Sahuaro was able to put a 64-yard drive together, capping it off with a 34-yard go-ahead touchdown pass from Cougar senior Laramie Brown to fellow senior Cole Sterns.

While the team played well in the second half, the Badgers found themselves in trouble early, after multiple mistakes. 

“In the first quarter a lot of penalties were called back," senior Kalil Stubblefield said. “But going into the second quarter the offense put in work.”

Sahuaro scored on their opening drive, thanks to a goal line dive from junior Derik Hall. 

Tucson's ensuing drive resulted in an intercepted pass, leading to a 24-yard field goal from junior Demitri Fontinos. 

As the second quarter began, Moore landed a seam pass to Anderson, who returned the ball 74-yards--only to fumble the ball into the endzone for a Sahuaro touchback.  

Though the team suffered an opening-day setback, the game day atmosphere was electric.

New cheerleaders, trainers, and transfers gave a breath of fresh air to the THMS community, and cowbells and cheering could be heard from the stands to the THMS plaza.

The Badgers next game will be at Nogales High School on  Sept. 6, kickoff at 7:00 p.m.