Southwest offense shines in dominant win over Kofa

Behind a strong performance from its rushing game, the Southwest High Eagles soared for a 55-0 victory over the Kofa Kings at Eagle Field on Friday.

The Eagles scored on all their possessions except their last one of the game. In just the first quarter the local team rushed for 156 yards, leading to three touchdowns, to take an early and commanding lead and never looking back.

“Our offensive line blocked really well (Friday night) and our running backs also blocked well for each other,” said Frank Lugo, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. “Everyone did their assignments. If we can get everyone to do that we can move the ball.”

The first score of the night was the hardest one of them all. The Eagles moved the ball 71 yards in seven plays on their opening offensive series, which culminated with a 20-yard run by junior running back Tyler Saikhon.

It only took Southwest two plays on their following two drives to find the end zone with touchdown runs by junior running back Justin Cordova and junior quarterback Cameron Jungers.

“Our linemen stepped up big time (Friday), they created those gaps for us today,” Saikhon said. “Even our (junior varsity) linemen who came in late in the game and managed to march down the field with them.”

In the second quarter with a 21-0 lead, sophomore safety Logan Chell intercepted a pass from the Kings’ quarterback Zacary Miller and nearly took it all the way to the house but was stopped at the 1-yard line after a 62yard return.

Saikhon eased his way into the end zone on the ensuing play to extend the lead to 28-0.

The lone touchdown pass of the game came late in the half when Jungers connected with Saikhon for an 86-yard pass to send the Eagles into the half with a 35-0 lead.

“They played good fundamental defense,” Lugo said. “We had a good scouting report on Kofa and the players listened during practice and did a good job. They stepped up.”

To begin the third quarter, Cordova took the first kickoff of the second half and with a couple of key blocks along the way, escaped 91 yards for the touchdown.

Jungers ended the game with one passing touchdown with two more on the ground, Saikhon had three total touchdowns two rushing along with a touchdown reception, while Cordova found the end zone once in the running game with the other being a kickoff return.

With the win the Eagles improve to a 3-0 record to start the 2016 campaign.

The next contest for the Eagles will be Friday when they host the Yuma Criminals, who fell to Brawley Union High 61-7 on Friday night in Brawley.

“Feels good to be 3-0, but we need to take it one week at a time, one game at a time,” Lugo said. “We’re not taking anyone lightly.”