Phoenix excel on road in opener
-- The Sonoraville Phoenix leaned heavily on its dynamic rushing attack and stout defense to secure a 28- 7 opening night victory over the Model Blue Devils on Friday.
Versatile quarterback Patrick Moore led the charge for the Phoenix ( 1- 0) on the ground in the first half. After the initial drives for both teams stalled due to penalties, Moore took advantage of a few crushing blocks on the perimeter on a quarterback keeper during the second drive, accelerating past the Model ( 0- 1) secondary for a 64-yard touchdown and 7- 0 advantage.
Sonoraville thrust themselves back into scoring position after linebacker Kobe McEntyre busted through the offensive line and blocked a punt attempt. Moore proved opportunistic, slicing through the defense for a 14- yard rushing score that put the Phoenix in the driver’s seat 14- 0 heading into halftime.
By the final buzzer, Moore had racked up 176 rushing yards. Due to the success of the ground game Moore didn’t have to throw often, but tacked on over 40 passing yards.
Casey Brooks, Noah Sullivan, Wes McCormick and Tristan Key all registered a reception for the Phoenix.
After a lethargic first half, the Model Blue Devils emerged from the locker room more aggressive on offense the first half. Quarterback Jackson Couch marched his squad down the field all the way to the five yard line. However, their efforts were thwarted by the Sonoraville defensive unit, who stifled the Blue Devils on a fourth- and- goal attempt.
The Blue Devils finally broke through on the next possession as Couch was afforded enough time in the pocket to roll out and toss a towering pass to wide receiver Kidron Ford, who hauled it in for a 26-yard touchdown to cut the Sonoraville lead down to one score.
Couch finished the night with 85 passing yards on nine completions. He also contributed 67 rushing yards. It wasn’t easy for Model to find running room due to Sonoraville’s defensive pressure, but leading running back Kwalic Dublin managed to rumble for 69 yards on 14 rushes.
The Blue Devils were lead in the receiving category by Ford, who finished with 43 receiving yards.
Key only tallied 10 yards on seven rushes in the first half of play, but came alive and made an impact in the second by adding 40 yards to his ground total. The running back was particularly effective near the goal line, powering through the defense for a 14- yard touchdown after Moore pitched in a 25- yard rush to put Sonoraville into scoring range in the early fourth.
With Sonoraville up a comfortable 21- 7, Key punctuated the game by punching in a 1- yard rushing touchdown to lock in the 28- 7 victory.
The Phoenix square off against the Cass Colonels at home next Friday.