QB Cleary captains Yuma Catholic to 2nd state title in 3 years
The saying that offense wins games, defense wins championships usually holds true.
But in the Division V state championship game Saturday at Phoenix North Canyon High, it was the Yuma Catholic offense that capitalized on its opportunity against Eagar Round Valley in a 63-35 Yuma Catholic victory for their second state championship in three years.
“Our kids really put it all on the line to play a really physical football team tonight,” Yuma Catholic coach Rhett Stallworth said. “If you don’t man up against Round Valley you’re going to get beat. I don’t care how good of a passing game you got.”
But junior quarterback Jagan Cleary’s passing game was just that, as he helped return his team to its former glory.
After his 483-yard, threetouchdown performance in the semifinals, Cleary finished his season with a 424-yard, seventouchdown passing clinic in Saturday’s final.
“When it comes down to being quarterback, you just got make your reads, you got to be smart, you have to be calm,” Cleary said. “My offensive line gave me tremendous time in the pocket. When I get time, I can hit the receivers … we were executing; we got touchdowns.”
The game started off evenkeel as both teams went for it on 4th-and-3 on their first drives. Neither converted.
Both teams were physical up front, but it would be a mistake by Round Valley junior quarterback Nate Gutierrez that would spark the Yuma Catholic offense.
Gutierrez fumbled in backto-back drives that led to two Yuma Catholic touchdowns, putting them up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Round Valley (12-2) wouldn’t see the lead the entire game, as Yuma Catholic (11-2) scored 28 unanswered points to start the game.
Round Valley junior running back Ethan Workman was held to 107 yards rushing and two touchdowns, with a 41-yard touchdown coming in final seconds of the game.
By halftime, Cleary had thrown for 315 yards and five touchdowns for a 42-14 lead.
“He did a couple things wrong,” Stallworth said, laughing, of Cleary.
While Cleary did throw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, it sure didn’t seem that way.
Cleary finished 23 of 32 for more than 400 yards, capitalizing his playoff run of 300-plus yards and at least three touchdowns in each playoff game this season.
“Anything I can do to help the team, it’s amazing,” Cleary said. “I’m just glad I came out here and executed to the best of my ability.”