Spartans debut with win
T Thehe Central Union High School football team opened its season before an energetic home crowd at Cal Jones Field on Friday night.
Spartans hosted Kofa in the first Game of the Week of the season and did not disappoint as they worked to defeat the Kings 34-14.
The result marks the first victory under new head coach David Peña, who credited his players with remaining united in their purpose to open the year with a victory.
“They fought for it,” Peña said. “They had to fight through a little bit of adversity, but they remained a family and worked for [the win] together.”
In addition to seeing Peña in action for the first time, the proud Spartan community also got to see Deniro Osuna debut under center.
The sophomore’s first offensive play of the game and his varsity career resulted in a 20-yard pass to junior Thadeo Campbell that ignited the crowd and set the tone for the entire game.
“I just kept thinking, ‘Don’t under throw it,’” Osuna said with a smile. “I just wanted to get it close enough for him to make a play.”
While the exciting first drive did not result in a touchdown, the Spartans did not take long to get on the board as Campbell intercepted a pass and returned the ball 32 yards for the first score of the game with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
Central’s kicker then added the PAT to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead.
The Spartan defense continued to flex its strength early on as it did not give up a first down until the middle of the second quarter.
After forcing the Kings to punt in their second possession of the game, the Central offense took over possession of the ball, yet found itself on its own 15 yard line.
The Spartans then faked a punt that resulted in a 75-yard rushing touchdown from Joseph Castillo. After another successful PAT, the Spartans had a 14-0 lead with 2:21 to play in the first half.
The game then entered the second half, where the offense produced its first touchdown after Osuna caught Adrian Atondo on a 15-yard pass with 10:34 left before the half.
With both defenses holding strong, the game went into the half with no more scores and the Spartans up 20-0 after an unsuccessful PAT.
Nearing the end of the third quarter, Kofa got its first score on the board and also missed its PAT for a 20-6 scoreboard.
Central answered in the beginning of the fourth when Osuna connected for what would be his second of three throwing touchdowns in the game.
This time, the sophomore connected with Tyrese Marsh from 23 yards out to go up 27-6 after a successful PAT.
The Kings then put up their second score and a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 27-14.
The Spartans weren’t going to let the game get any closer, however, as the defense shutout the Kings, Osuna found Campbell in the air for a 17-yard play that ultimately gave Central the 34-14 win.
“It feels really good to get this first win at home, especially considering the season we had last year,” Osuna said.
The Spartans improve to 1-0 on the season and return to action next week when they host Gila Ridge High School.