Jay 35, O’connor 25
Quick take: Jay broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter as Xadrian Huerta scored on a 86-yard touchdown run and broke loose for a 49-yard run late in the game to set up another Jay score as the Mustangs held off O’connor 35-25 on Saturday at Gustafson Stadium. Jay improved to 3-0 and defeated O’connor (0-3) by outgaining the Panthers in total yardage 465-281. The Mustangs won the game on the ground, outrushing O’connor 291-110.
Jay also won the turnover battle with two interceptions and one fumble recovery, with two of those turnovers leading to 14 points.
Highlights: After mishandling the opening kickoff, O’connor started from its own 4-yard line. The Panthers recovered from that miscue, going on an 81-yard drive which led to Aiden Nanez drilling a 32-yard field goal, giving O’connor a 3-0 lead at 4:04 in the first quarter.
Jay’s initial drive of the game ended when Gerardo Martinez missed a 35-yard field goal attempt. However on the ensuing O’connor possession, Jay’s Devin Brewer intercepted Panthers quarterback John Locke’s pass, stepping in front of intended receiver Thomas Lorenc for a 29-yard return, setting up Jay at the O’connor 6-yard line.
After a penalty moved the Mustangs to the O’connor 21, Jay quarterback Jackson Gutierrez took the option keeper and scored on a 21-yard touchdown run, shaking off and eluding several O’connor defenders en route to the end zone. Martinez added the point after kick to put Jay up 7-3 with 9:45 left in the second quarter.
O’connor narrowed the Jay lead to 7-6 after Nanez booted a 22-yard field goal at the 5:48 mark of the second quarter. The field goal was set up by a 50yard play action pass from Garon Andrade to Locke.
The Panthers got a break when Jay fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Conner Martinez
recovered the fumble for O’connor at the Mustangs’ 31-yard line. O’connor took advantage of the turnovers as Locke caught a 29-yard scoring pass from Andrade, outjumping his defender for the ball and keeping his feet inbounds as he tip-toed his way into end zone. After Nanez converted the PAT, O’connor regained the lead at 13-7 with 4:05 left in the second quarter.
It didn’t take long for Jay to regain the lead as Gutierrez connected with a wide-open Jack Mota for a 74-yard touchdown pass, making it 14-13 Jay with 3:14 before halftime.
Jay extended its lead to 20-13 on a 36-yard scoring run on a draw play from Gutierrez with 9:50 in the third quarter.
Nanez added a 29-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which was set up by an interception by Dylan Parisher,
getting O’connor within 20-19 with 6:20 left in the game.
Nanez’s last field goal was the closest O’connor would get as 19 seconds later, Huerta scampered for an 86-yard touchdown run to extend Jay’s lead to 27-19.
O’connor tried to rally, but Jay’s Dylan Gordon stopped the Panthers when he intercepted a tipped pass thrown by Locke, returning it 44 yards. Huerta then dashed up the middle for a 49-yard run to the O’connor 1. Gutierrez then sealed the game for Jay, scoring on a 1-yard sneak to put Jay up 35-19 with 1:43 left in the game.
The Panthers ended the scoring when Andrade connected with his favorite receiver, Locke, for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:12 remaining in the game. What it means: The win over O’connor was Jay’s first victory over the Panthers since 2011.
In the first three games of the
season, Jay’s offense has amassed more than 1,300 yards for the season so far.
After getting blown out in their first two games, O’connor’s offense got going against Jay, coming up with big plays especially from Andrade and Locke, who connected for two touchdowns. However, the Panthers made several mistakes, including two interceptions that led to two Jay scores, and a fumble at the Jay 1-yard line that negated a potential touchdown late in the game.
Game balls: Huerta rushed for 200 yards and one score for Jay, making the second straight game he has rushed for 200 yards. So far, Huerta has gone over at least 150 yards in all three games he has played this season. Versatile Jay quarterback Gutierrez rushed for three touchdowns and threw for one score, totaling 255 yards (174 yards passing, 81 rushing).
In addition, the Jay defense may have bent but did not break, as O’connor was inside the Jay 20-yard line on five occasions but did not score a touchdown as the Mustangs held the Panthers to four field goals and came up with a fumble recovery.
For O’connor, Andrade was 7 of 13 for 110 yards and threw for two scores, both going to Locke, who caught four passes for 135 yards.
Quotable: “Our kids are playing hard, playing consistent and playing fast and so those are things that are helping us right now,” Jay coach Gary Gutierrez said. “One of the big things is we’re still pretty young, still developing. We’re proud of our kids and the direction we are going and we’re going to enjoy this victory and enjoy the bye week and see how can improve and move on forward.”
Up next: O’connor will try to get its first win of the season when it faces off against Holmes at 7 p.m. Friday at Farris Stadium. Jay has a bye next week, with its next game Sept. 23 against Holmes at 7 p.m. at Gustafson Stadium.