On Friday, September. 28. Mingus football defeated Mohave 41-20.
With the win, Mingus improves to 5-2 this season.
After losing two straight games, the Marauders have rebounded nicely and won their last two games.
“We have proved that we can now win on the road as we have two road games to one home game,” Mingus coach Robert Ortiz said. “ I think the biggest
Mingus’s 41 points were the third consecutive week that the Marauders scored at least 40 points.
“We felt like we could move the ball through the air against Mohave’s defense based on their defensive alignment,” Ortiz said. “ We ran the ball to set up the pass and were pretty well balanced on offense.”
The Marauders defense stepped up in the second half and only allowed seven points.
“Mohave runs a similar offense to Coconino so wanted our kids prepared for a hard-nosed running game,” Ortiz said. “ We know we had to get Coconino in third-and-long situations because they are not afraid to go for it on fourth down.”
Mingus quarterback Antoine Zabala went 15-21 for 249 yards and five touchdowns to two interceptions.
“Antoine’s performance on Friday night broke our school season passing yard record,” Ortiz said. “ He was also one touchdown shy of tying the state record for in one game and I do not think he achieves it without solid protection.”
This season, Zabala has completed 100-162 passes for 1,476 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Zabala has thrown for at least three touchdowns in all five of Mingus’s wins this year.
Zabala has also registered a passer rating of at least 111 in each of Mingus’s wins.
Marauders running back Alex Nelson carried the ball 25 times for 188 yards
Nelson has carried the ball 155 times for 1,230 yards and nine touchdowns.
Ortiz gave his offensive line the game ball for their performance.
“I am a firm believer that you cannot succeed on offense without a good offensive line,” Ortiz said. “I do not think Nelson or Zabala have the games they do without the front five leading the way.”
Zabala’s five touchdowns went to four separate Mingus receivers.
Mingus receiver Chaz Taylor had five catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns and also recorded 12 tackles on defense.
Kendrew Streck led the Marauders defense with 18 total tackles.
“The defense gets the game ball for stepping up and stopping Mohave’s hard-nosed running game,” Ortiz said. “ That is something we struggled with early on and they came through tonight.”
“They were able to sneak a couple play actions with their tight ends and running backs out of the backfield,” Ortiz said. “ When you are preparing for a heavy-run team, that happens when you are focused on stopping their bread and butter.”
