Sergio Sazo is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus High School for AZPreps365.com.

 

Cactus celebrated their 40th annual homecoming football game with a dominating 53-0 win over Youngker Friday night at Cactus. 

It didn’t take long for the Cactus (4-1) defense to bounce back from last week’s tough loss at Salpointe Catholic (4-0). On the opening drive of the game, Youngker (1-4)  quarterback Daniel Armenta threw a deep pass down the sideline to receiver Jordan Creer with Cobras defensive back Nicc Quinones in tight coverage. Quinones made a nice play on the ball and came down with the interception. 

“We have the opportunity to make plays,” Quinones said.” It was just game plan. We just had to execute.” 

A very good return to the 9-yard-line following the interception by Quinones quickly set-up the first of three first quarter Cactus touchdowns. Backed up by a holding penalty, Cobras quarterback Connor Cordts hit junior receiver Antonio Pratt for a 23-yard touchdown. Pratt ran a vertical route down the middle of the field and was wide-open between the safeties. 

Cordts had a big day rushing and throwing the football, finishing the game with six total touchdowns -- three coming on the ground and three through the air. Cordts now has 15 touchdowns in five games, with nine passing and six rushing. 

“These teams don’t know if I’m going to pull the ball and take off or hand the ball to Anthony (Flores) and let him do what he does,” Cordts said.” I think it’s a huge advantage having two people in the backfield that can run the ball instead of having just one running back.” 

The Cobras kept up the pressure throughout the first quarter, following their first score with an onside kick that caught Youngker by surprise. The aggressiveness paid off as Flores capped off a six play, 49-yard drive with a 3-yard run.  

Flores had a nice comeback game after missing last week due to an ankle injury. He had two rushing touchdowns and gained 110 rushing yards on 11 carries.

“Connor totaled six touchdowns today, and if we can do that with Anthony Flores it’s a great thunder and lightning dynamic with being able to throw the ball as well,” Cobras coach Joseph Ortiz said. 

Down 32-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, Armenta led the Roughriders offense down the field to the Cactus 10-yard-line. The Roughriders were unable to score, as a dropped pass on first down was followed by a tackle for loss by the Cobras defense and a false start penalty on Youngker. The Roughriders failed to convert a 4th-and-17 and ended the first half with a turnover on downs. 

The second half only featured more frustration for the Youngker offense as Armenta threw two more interceptions and Cactus built a 53-0 lead through three quarters. 

The Cactus defense continued to dominate well into the second half, closing out the fourth quarter with a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Jon Buchanan. 

“We had a great week of preparation and our best week of practice this year and we carried it over into the game,” Ortiz said. “Super proud of how they were able to bounce back.” 

The Cobras travel to Deer Valley (1-3) next Friday, while the Roughriders travel to Estrella Foothills (2-3).