As Mingus Union High School prepares for the start of sectional play in two weeks, points are getting harder to come by.
But Friday, Sept. 18, the Marauders found a way to achieve their first 3-1 start in four years and win their lowest-scoring game, 20-14, at Greenway High School.
“I think it was just a lot more experienced guys that have played, especially early in the season,” said Bob Young, Marauders head football coach. “It was just a hard-fought battle.”
In 2012, the Marauders reeled off six straight wins after a loss in their home opener on their way to an 8-4 finish and state quarterfinal appearance.
“The last couple years, we started out slow,” Young said. “We’ve just got to keep pushing [and] focus on the long-term plan — getting better every week.”
Senior Anthony Accurso got MUHS on the board first at the seven-minute mark of the first quarter. On his only run of the night, Accurso found the end zone from eight yards out.
But junior Juan Ruiz made it count on the ground, tearing off a 38-yard run to the Demons’ 3-yard-line before taking it in for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown in the second quarter.
A stout MUHS defense has played a large part in the Marauders’ prominence atop Division III, Section VIII as they head back home for a 7 p.m. matchup Friday, Sept. 25, against winless Moon Valley High School.
For the full story and standings, please see the Wednesday, Sept. 23, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
