EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
Eisenhower and Seymour Rogers middle schools played the annual Crosstown Clash at Redskin Field, and each school claimed a victory.
The Apache seventh graders won in a runaway, 36-8.
The Apaches took the first play from scrimmage 62 yards for a touchdown run by Kaden Olvera, and the Apaches had a 6-0 lead.
But the Warrior defense was able to get some stops on the next two possessions.
The Warrior offense struggled to move the ball against the stout Apache defensive front, and because of a stiff south wind, punting into the wind was next to impossible.
The Apaches were able to add another score to take a 14-0 lead, and late in the first half the Apaches appeared to return an interception for a score, but a block in the back negated the touchdown.
The Apaches had a chance to add a score in the final minute before half, but the Warrior defense denied the Apaches as time expired on the second quarter, and the lead remained 14-0.
But in the second half, the Apaches were able to sustain drives and extended the lead with two more touchdowns to 28-0.
But the Warriors completed a drive in the final four minutes of the game to cut the lead to 28-8.
But Olvera was able to break free for a 68 yard touchdown run in the final minute for a 36-8 Apache lead.
Time expired on the ensuing kickoff, and the Apaches earned the win.
“I’ve been watching from the sideline for four years,” Apache coach Clinton Toney said. “I saw the desire, and I wanted to make our kids understand we put on our pants like everyone else. They could run with the other side of town.”
The Apaches relied on the running combination of Aiden Aragon and Olvera all season, and the two put pressure on the perimeter for defenses.
“Those two played a phenomenal role,” Toney said. “It’s their first year out for football.”
Toney also complimented his defense and knew how important the Crosstown Clash was to his players.
“This one is the icing on the cake,” he said. “There’s no other feeling for it.”
The eighth grade game became a defensive battle, and in the end, the Warriors were able to hold off the Apaches for a 14-6 win.
The Warriors appeared to take charge early after two major penalties against the Apaches on the first drive forced a punt.
The Warriors took advantage of a short punt into the wind and marched the ball to the end zone for an early 8-0 lead.
But neither team was able to score the rest of the half, and the Warriors took the one-score lead into the break.
The Apaches used the wind for a long pass completion late in the third quarter to set up a touchdown that nearly ended in disaster for the Apaches.
Darion Denton ran to the goal line before fumbling the ball into the end zone, but Jesus Rios recovered for the Apaches to cut the lead to 8-6.
The Warriors responded by finding running room to the outside for Christopher Moreno, and he completed a drive late in the fourth quarter that gave the Warriors a 14-6 lead.
The Apaches attempted to tie the game with a long sustained drive in the fourth quarter, but with time running out, the Apaches attempted a pass from the Warrior 19 yard line on second down that fell incomplete as time expired, and the Warriors won 14-6.
“I’m so proud of our boys,” Warrior coach Wes Rieman said. “They fought hard all night. It was a great way to end the year. They’ve been pumped up all week. I’m happy we were able to pull out a win.”
