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| Stiff arm: Kyle Graf stiff arms a Canyon State defender on his way to the end zone, as he works toward another 150-yard game. The senior will have his work cut out for him this week, when the Bobcats will face a tough Valley Christian defense. (Dave Brown/photo.) |
Five Bobcats score in 42-9 postseason victory
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
It wasn't always pretty Friday night, but the Benson Bobcats easily won the first round of the 2A State playoffs, when five different players found the end zone in the 42-9 win over Canyon State.
The first offensive drive for the Bobcats gave the fans a little scare, since it was reminiscent of the contest against Canyon State earlier this season where Benson had seven fumbles.
When the handoff to Kyle Graf was fumbled and Canyon State took over on downs, it looked as though the fans were in for another long night.
The Rams capitalized with a 35-yard field goal, capping off a 13-play drive that was set up by a fake punt on 4th and 9.
The Bobcats bounced right back, with Dain Dastrup pounding it in on fourth down, capping a 13-play drive that started on their own 20.
Missing the extra point, the Bobcats took a three-point lead with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Kyle Graf gave the Bobcats a chance to increase their lead, intercepting a Canyon State pass and returning it to the 50-yard line.
Graf took the ball in himself, running 23 yards to paydirt with 10:34 left in the first half. Graf had 150 yards on 13 carries for the night.
In the two-point conversion attempt, Carlos Ravago came down with a Mark Mabry pass, but stepped out of bounds just before crossing the pylon, leaving the score at 12-3.
Before halftime, Dastrup scored his second touchdown of the night, running untouched up the middle for a 27-yard score with 1:03 on the clock. Dastrup also pounded in the two-point conversion to give the Bobcats a 20-3 halftime lead.
Along with his two scores, Dastrup ran for 38 yards and on defense led the team with 8 solo tackles.
In the second half, the Bobcats' offensive attack continued.
A Rayvean Moore interception gave Benson good field position with 6:13 left in the third quarter.
In a little trickery, the Bobcats gave it to Ravago on the end-and-around. The senior receiver ran 23 yards to score with 4:05 in the third. Mabry connected with Tyler Denewith for the two-point conversion, extending the Bobcats' lead to 28-3.
On the Bobcats' next offensive drive, their turnover problems continued, as a Dastrup fumble turned into a 48-yard Canyon Sate touchdown, decreasing the Bobcats' lead to 28-9.
This was the only Canyon State touchdown of the night; they were driving late in the fourth inside the Bobcats' 5-yard line when Coach Chris Determan threw the first-string defense back onto the field. Graf recovered a fumble in the end zone to halt the drive.
Mabry had another big game on the ground, increasing the Bobcats' lead in the third quarter with a 47-yard scamper down the Bobcats' sideline. The senior quarterback had a similar run in the win over Willcox the week before.
"I think we played a game with a lot of mistakes, but we pulled together and got the win," Mabry said after the game. "We just need to work hard this week and prepare for what comes next."
Leading 34-9 going into the fourth quarter, the Bobcats' final touchdown of the night came through the air, as the always-danger Denewith did what he does best, racking up yards after the catch.
The senior receiver scampered 18 yards to find the end zone, and with a successful two-point conversion, gave the Bobcats a 42-9 victory, and some confidence as they head into the second round of the 2A State playoffs.
Determan was not completely pleased with the Bobcats' efforts, telling them they have to watch film this week and figure out what's going on before they face what could be their toughest opponent of the season.
"It's a win and I'll take it," Determan told the players. "Right now you are in the top eight of state, but next week you win and you are in the top four, win that and it's down to the top two."
Determan said the Bobcats have had too many penalties late in the season, and too many miscues that have to be taken care of before facing a good Valley Christian team.
The Bobcats will host Valley Christian at home Friday night.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
It wasn't always pretty Friday night, but the Benson Bobcats easily won the first round of the 2A State playoffs, when five different players found the end zone in the 42-9 win over Canyon State.
The first offensive drive for the Bobcats gave the fans a little scare, since it was reminiscent of the contest against Canyon State earlier this season where Benson had seven fumbles.
When the handoff to Kyle Graf was fumbled and Canyon State took over on downs, it looked as though the fans were in for another long night.
The Rams capitalized with a 35-yard field goal, capping off a 13-play drive that was set up by a fake punt on 4th and 9.
The Bobcats bounced right back, with Dain Dastrup pounding it in on fourth down, capping a 13-play drive that started on their own 20.
Missing the extra point, the Bobcats took a three-point lead with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Kyle Graf gave the Bobcats a chance to increase their lead, intercepting a Canyon State pass and returning it to the 50-yard line.
Graf took the ball in himself, running 23 yards to paydirt with 10:34 left in the first half. Graf had 150 yards on 13 carries for the night.
In the two-point conversion attempt, Carlos Ravago came down with a Mark Mabry pass, but stepped out of bounds just before crossing the pylon, leaving the score at 12-3.
Before halftime, Dastrup scored his second touchdown of the night, running untouched up the middle for a 27-yard score with 1:03 on the clock. Dastrup also pounded in the two-point conversion to give the Bobcats a 20-3 halftime lead.
Along with his two scores, Dastrup ran for 38 yards and on defense led the team with 8 solo tackles.
In the second half, the Bobcats' offensive attack continued.
A Rayvean Moore interception gave Benson good field position with 6:13 left in the third quarter.
In a little trickery, the Bobcats gave it to Ravago on the end-and-around. The senior receiver ran 23 yards to score with 4:05 in the third. Mabry connected with Tyler Denewith for the two-point conversion, extending the Bobcats' lead to 28-3.
On the Bobcats' next offensive drive, their turnover problems continued, as a Dastrup fumble turned into a 48-yard Canyon Sate touchdown, decreasing the Bobcats' lead to 28-9.
This was the only Canyon State touchdown of the night; they were driving late in the fourth inside the Bobcats' 5-yard line when Coach Chris Determan threw the first-string defense back onto the field. Graf recovered a fumble in the end zone to halt the drive.
Mabry had another big game on the ground, increasing the Bobcats' lead in the third quarter with a 47-yard scamper down the Bobcats' sideline. The senior quarterback had a similar run in the win over Willcox the week before.
"I think we played a game with a lot of mistakes, but we pulled together and got the win," Mabry said after the game. "We just need to work hard this week and prepare for what comes next."
Leading 34-9 going into the fourth quarter, the Bobcats' final touchdown of the night came through the air, as the always-danger Denewith did what he does best, racking up yards after the catch.
The senior receiver scampered 18 yards to find the end zone, and with a successful two-point conversion, gave the Bobcats a 42-9 victory, and some confidence as they head into the second round of the 2A State playoffs.
Determan was not completely pleased with the Bobcats' efforts, telling them they have to watch film this week and figure out what's going on before they face what could be their toughest opponent of the season.
"It's a win and I'll take it," Determan told the players. "Right now you are in the top eight of state, but next week you win and you are in the top four, win that and it's down to the top two."
Determan said the Bobcats have had too many penalties late in the season, and too many miscues that have to be taken care of before facing a good Valley Christian team.
The Bobcats will host Valley Christian at home Friday night.
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DC wrote on Nov 12, 2009 10:08 AM: