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Dastrup gets the job done
The senior rushes for 228, accounts for 9 solo tackles in 35-16 win
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
With Kyle Graf sidelined for rest before the big Willcox game, Dain Dastrup carried the Bobcats' rushing load with ease Friday night, racking up 228 yards and two touchdowns against Tombstone.
The senior star also had nine solo tackles in a 2A East Conference game, where the Bobcats went on to win 35-16. The Bobcats improved to 8-1 with the victory, and will face Willcox for the conference title this week.
The Bobcats' offense got off to a quick start, with Erin Merrill capping off a 10-play drive with a five-yard touchdown run up the gut of the Tombstone defense. With a failed two-point conversion, the Bobcats led 6-0 with 5:51 left in the opening quarter.
Merrill, who had 62 yards on 15 carries, found the end zone again late in the second quarter on a third-down run. Failing to convert the two points again, the Bobcats still held a two-score lead.
Right before the half, the Bobcats got the ball back after the defense held Tombstone on the fourth and goal. With 19.9 seconds on the clock, the Bobcats appeared to have no chance, but Dastrup found his rhythm. The powerful back took the ball 25 yards on first down, and then another 20 yards, but the drive stalled when quarterback Mark Mabry was sacked as time expired.
The drive right before the half got Dastrup motivated, and the second half was all Dastrup.
"With Kyle out, we kind of prepared for this in practice," Dastrup said. "You can't replace Kyle, but we did what we needed to do to win. It wasn't pretty, but we got it done."
In the third quarter, Dastrup got the Bobcats in the end zone again, capping off the 10-play drive with a five-yard run to score. He also took in the two-point conversion, giving Benson a 20-0 score with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
After coming close to breaking tackles for a big run several times, Dastrup finally found the open field in the fourth quarter when he skipped through five would-be tacklers to run 52 yards to paydirt. With Merrill running in the two-point conversion, the Bobcats took a commanding 28-0 lead.
"The offensive line had another good game, opening holes for the backs," said Coach Chris Determan. "Dain ran well and hit the holes well."
After Tombstone scored their first points of the night, Mabry scored the final Bobcats' touchdown of the night late in the fourth quarter, giving the Bobcats a 35-3 lead.
Before the end of the game, Tombstone scored two more touchdowns.
After the game, defensive coach Casey Woodall said they played well enough to win, but said the Bobcats may have overlooked Tombstone, as they look to the final game of the season against Willcox.
Carlos Ravago led the Bobcats' defense with 11 solo tackles, Dastrup with second with 9.
As the Bobcats prepare for the final game of the season, Determan said the passing game must get more consistent. Mabry finished the game 2 for 7 for 20 yards and an interception.
Woodall and Determan told the Bobcats they must play better this week against a tough Willcox opponent.
This week, the Bobcats face Willcox and will be playing for the conference crown, the traveling trophy and state seeding.
Both Willcox and Benson are tied for the conference lead at 8-1. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
With Kyle Graf sidelined for rest before the big Willcox game, Dain Dastrup carried the Bobcats' rushing load with ease Friday night, racking up 228 yards and two touchdowns against Tombstone.
The senior star also had nine solo tackles in a 2A East Conference game, where the Bobcats went on to win 35-16. The Bobcats improved to 8-1 with the victory, and will face Willcox for the conference title this week.
The Bobcats' offense got off to a quick start, with Erin Merrill capping off a 10-play drive with a five-yard touchdown run up the gut of the Tombstone defense. With a failed two-point conversion, the Bobcats led 6-0 with 5:51 left in the opening quarter.
Merrill, who had 62 yards on 15 carries, found the end zone again late in the second quarter on a third-down run. Failing to convert the two points again, the Bobcats still held a two-score lead.
Right before the half, the Bobcats got the ball back after the defense held Tombstone on the fourth and goal. With 19.9 seconds on the clock, the Bobcats appeared to have no chance, but Dastrup found his rhythm. The powerful back took the ball 25 yards on first down, and then another 20 yards, but the drive stalled when quarterback Mark Mabry was sacked as time expired.
The drive right before the half got Dastrup motivated, and the second half was all Dastrup.
"With Kyle out, we kind of prepared for this in practice," Dastrup said. "You can't replace Kyle, but we did what we needed to do to win. It wasn't pretty, but we got it done."
In the third quarter, Dastrup got the Bobcats in the end zone again, capping off the 10-play drive with a five-yard run to score. He also took in the two-point conversion, giving Benson a 20-0 score with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
After coming close to breaking tackles for a big run several times, Dastrup finally found the open field in the fourth quarter when he skipped through five would-be tacklers to run 52 yards to paydirt. With Merrill running in the two-point conversion, the Bobcats took a commanding 28-0 lead.
"The offensive line had another good game, opening holes for the backs," said Coach Chris Determan. "Dain ran well and hit the holes well."
After Tombstone scored their first points of the night, Mabry scored the final Bobcats' touchdown of the night late in the fourth quarter, giving the Bobcats a 35-3 lead.
Before the end of the game, Tombstone scored two more touchdowns.
After the game, defensive coach Casey Woodall said they played well enough to win, but said the Bobcats may have overlooked Tombstone, as they look to the final game of the season against Willcox.
Carlos Ravago led the Bobcats' defense with 11 solo tackles, Dastrup with second with 9.
As the Bobcats prepare for the final game of the season, Determan said the passing game must get more consistent. Mabry finished the game 2 for 7 for 20 yards and an interception.
Woodall and Determan told the Bobcats they must play better this week against a tough Willcox opponent.
This week, the Bobcats face Willcox and will be playing for the conference crown, the traveling trophy and state seeding.
Both Willcox and Benson are tied for the conference lead at 8-1. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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| Bobcats put it all on the line Friday |
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