Bob Young has been coaching a long time, and he’s got it down.
Prior to Mingus Union High School’s season opener against visiting Cactus Shadows High School, he talked up the opponent, noting that the Falcons had plenty of experience and a size advantage in the trenches.
Then, after his Marauders flattened the Falcons, 42-15, on Aug. 21, he downplayed his team’s apparent dominance.
“We’ll find a lot of things we need to work on,” he said with a smile, referring to studying game film this week. “We had special teams breakdowns and pass protection was a weakness.”
However, the coach was impressed — though not surprised — by the performance of Jordan Upham.
The senior quarterback ran for 185 yards on 14 carries and scored three touchdowns. He also completed four of six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s that kind of guy,” Young said. “Our offense is tailored around him.”
It didn’t take long for Upham to impact the game. On his second play from scrimmage, Upham ran an option right, kept the ball and broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run.
The extra point was blocked, but the Marauders had a 6-0 lead just 43 seconds into the game.
During the preseason, Young said his defense looked sharp. It carried over into the game, with five turnovers forced — three fumble recoveries and two interceptions — and six sacks.
After Upham’s opening score, the Falcons got good field position on the kickoff, then advanced on a defensive holding penalty. However, Mingus stopped them and forced a 58-yard field goal attempt that came up well short.
The next drive, in a classic bend-but-don’t-break series, the defense allowed the visitors to drive to the Mingus 31, but junior Aizik Romero stripped the ball and the Marauders took over on the 27.
The offense spread the ball around on the ensuing drive. Senior Anthony Accurso caught a 21-yard pass; senior Alec Phyfer ran for five yards, followed by a 12-yard run by Upham. Then, senior Pete Kelly carried the ball eight yards to the Falcons’ 19-yard line, which set up the Marauders second touchdown, a run by senior Tristan Clark — a “great perimeter guy,” Young said.
Clark would finish the night with 106 yards on eight carries. The Marauders ran for almost 400 yards and averaged over eight yards per carry overall.
For the full story, more photos and sectional standings, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 26, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
