Clifton Martin (left) and Darien McGee combined for 350 yards and five touchdowns receiving
(Pasadena) – All of Maranatha’s weapons were on display in a 47-28 win over Azusa Friday night on its home field. The Minutemen accumulated over 500 total yards on offense including 371 yards passing and five touchdowns from Andrew Elffers.
“This was a nice bounce back for us offensively after scoring only 20 points last week,” said Maranatha Coach Pete Karavedas. “Andrew was able to spread the ball around well for us tonight.”
Elffers completed 12 of 18 passes for the 371 yards with his touchdown passes going for 55, 60, 75, 31 and 41. Darien McGee caught seven passes for 220 yards and three scores while Clifton Martin hauled in just two receptions but they both went for touchdowns and 130 yards total.
Azusa’s statistics weren’t too bad either. The Aztecs actually got on the board first as Desmond Reed finished a 74 yard drive with an 11 yard run.
The Minutemen came right back with a 60 yard march that culminated in a two yard plunge by Omar Younger.
On the ensuing possession, Reed struck again. He took the hand off at his own 29 yard line and appeared to be stopped at the line of scrimmage. But he came out of the scrum, broke to the outside and raced 71 yards for a touchdown for a 14-7 Azusa lead.
Maranatha scored twice in the second quarter courtesy of Mr. Martin. Early in the period, he scored on a 62 yard scamper and again with 1:45 left in the first half on a 55 yard screen pass from Elffers for a 19-14 Maranatha lead.
The Minutemen came out to bury Azusa in the second half and it looked like they had with 5:21 left in the third when Elffers to Martin worked again for a 75 yard touchdown connection. This came after McGee went 60 yards for a score after catching an Elffers toss.
Down 33-14, the Aztecs turned to Reed again. First quarterback Jake Martinez hit James Figueroa for a 51 yard pass play down to the Maranatha five yard line. Reed then scooted in from three yards out to cut the lead to 33-21.
Elffers found McGee in the end zone on a perfectly thrown 31 yard strike in the left corner of the end zone on the following series as McGee made a leaping catch to come down with it.
“We had so many great receivers last year that he was just a part time player but this year he’s really busted out,” Karavedas said of McGee. “We’ll need to get his film out (to recruiters).”
The Reed highlight reel spun one more time. He took the ensuing kick off, zigged one way, zagged the other, and 95 yards later was in the end zone to make it 40-28. Reed scored all four Aztec touchdowns.
McGee had one more big play as well. Elffers hit him for a 41 yard score early in the fourth quarter to finally put Azusa away.
Martin, in addition to his 130 receiving yards, also rushed for 66 yards and a score. Younger had 16 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown.
For Azusa Martinez completed 20 of 39 for 215 yards. Reed rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries as well as the 95 yard kick off return.
“Azusa is a very good football team but we have some things to work on defensively. But anytime you’re 3-0 and you have things to work on, it’s good,” Karavedas said.
Next week the Minutemen will host Salesian. Azusa fell to 0-2 and will travel to Chino to face Don Lugo.
A 14 0 14 0 28
M 7 12 21 7 47
1st Qtr:
A 5:38 Reed 11 yd run (Jesus Arteaga Kick)
M 3:58 Younger 2 yd run (Reid Pike Kick)
A 2:29 Reed 71 yd run (Pike Kick)
2nd Qtr:
M 11:48 Martin 62 yd run (Kick Failed)
M 1:45 Martin 55 yd pass from Elffers (2 pt run Failed)
3rd Qtr:
M 7:58 McGee 60 yd pass from Elffers (Pike Kick)
M 5:21 Martin 75 yd pass from Elffers (Pike Kick)
A 4:07 Reed 3 yd run (Arteaga Kick)
M :28 McGee 31 yd pass from Elffers (Pike Kick)
A :07 Reed 95 yd KO Ret. (Arteaga Kick)
4th Qtr:
M 11:01 McGee 41 yd pass from Elffers (Pike Kick)
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