In a matchup of near-mirror-image offenses, Skyline’s methodical run game was able to convert a few first-half possessions into scores. Dobson’s pound-it-between-the-tackles system wasn’t.
The result was a 25-0 home win for Skyline in a Division 1 matchup Friday that lasted less than two hours.
Skyline (3-1) used a pair of long scoring drives to build a 17-0 halftime lead, then leaned on its defense to tighten when necessary to secure the outcome.
Francisco Avitia rushed for 136 yards on 21 carries and scored twice for the Coyotes. His 1-yard run gave the hosts a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, capping a 9-play, 76-yard drive. His second score came on a 49-yard run to complete the scoring with 4:43 to play.
“Coach says to run every play like it’s going to score,” said Avitia, who had 87 yards on 17 carries in the first half. “We know we have to take it one play at a time. We have to keep it going now.”
Skyline took a 14-0 lead when Dakota Howard completed an 11-play, 70-yard drive with a 3-yard run midway through the second quarter. The Coyotes made it 17-0 on Johnathon Willis’ 25-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
“Our biggest hurdle is just getting these kids to believe they can compete with these Mesa schools,” Skyline coach Angelo Paffumi said. “This game could have gone either way. Our kids just started to believe we could play with them.”
Or outplay them. The Coyotes allowed just one first down and 31 total yards in the first half. In the second half, the Mustangs had possessions of 11 and 13 plays but came away empty both times, turning the ball over on downs at Skyline’s 32 and 22, respectively.
"It’s a struggle to get our guys experience while also being able to compete,” Dobson coach George De La Torre said. “It’s going to take us some steps to get there.”
Dobson (0-4) held the ball for all but 1:30 of the third quarter but couldn’t get on the scoreboard. The Mustangs' final drive went to the Skyline 8, but a fourth-and-2 play gained nothing in the game’s final minute.
Tew Martin rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries for Dobson.
Skyline 25, Dobson 0
D – 0 0 0 0 – 0
S – 7 10 0 8 – 25
S – Avitia 1 run (Willis kick)
S – Howard 3 run (Willis kick)
S – Willis 25 FG
S – Avitia 49 run (Peelman run)
D S
Rushes-yards 32-96 39-247
Passing yards 61 42
Comp-att-int 5-10-0 3-6-0
First downs 9 11
Penalties-yards 2-15 2-20
Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0
