MidValleySports.Com

By: Josh Ouellette

(Azusa)- The Aztecs overcame Maranatha late in the Fourth Quarter on what Azusa head coach Joe Scherf called a, “lucky play” to win the ball game 14-13 over the Minutemen.

Aztec running back Cameron Blackburn put Maranatha on its heels immediately taking the opening play from scrimmage 69 yards. On the next play Blackburn punched it in from a yard out. Following a failed two-point conversion the score was quickly six nothing with only 40 seconds off the game clock.

Andrew Elfers began to orchestrate a march of his own leading Maranatha down the field with both his arm and his feet until the Azusa defense stalled the drive with running back Omar Younger getting stuffed a yard short on a fourth and two to go.

After two exciting opening drives for both teams the game settled into a battle for field position until the buzzer indicated for halftime.

The Minutemen came out and opened up the third quarter as fast as the Aztecs opened up the first half. On the second play from scrimmage Elffers scrambled out of a broken play and found his receiver Troy French for the lob pass over the Azusa defense for the 58-yard touchdown. With the successfully converted Reid Pike point after Maranatha took the lead 7-6 with only a minute taken of the clock.

Aztec quarterback Jose Ledesma took the ensuing drive and began a march of his own passing his way through the Minutemen defense. But head coach Pete Karavedas’ young defense held and forced a turnover on downs at their own 14 yardline.

On the first play following the Azusa turnover Elffers hit Niko Dobbs for a 65-yard pass on a deep slant and scamper by the senior receiver giving Maranatha another trip to the Azusa redzone. A few plays later an Elffers pass, this time to Baile McDavid for 17-yards, and an Aztec encroachment set up a third and goal at the three. Elffers took the snap quickly and forced his way up the middle for the score, after the missed point after the score was 13-6 with 1:55 left in the third quarter.

The teams traded possession until the Aztecs were able to break through. The drive was spurred by some creativity from Scherf when his offense pulled of a running back pass for 25 yards with Alex Cota hitting Josh Dillon.

A couple of plays later Ledesma threw the ball up for Blackburn on a wheel pattern up the sideline, the Maranatha defender had Blackburn smothered but right as the pass came in he slipped leaving the Aztec running back in the clear to take the ball in for the 45-yard score. Azusa completed the two-point conversion on a Ledesma pass to Dillon making the score 14-13 with 4:59 left in the game.

Maranatha tried to drive down field and had a chance at a late 46-yard field goal but Pike’s kick was off target.

Maranatha will go back home to take on their rivals La Salle (3-0) next week.

Azusa will stay on their home turf and play Don Lugo (1-2), the Conquistadores only victory this season came in a 36-14 win over the Minutemen.