By Jason Stone

 Lakeside Blue Ridge has been so dominant this season, it's news when the Yellow Jackets give up any points at all.

That happened in Saturday's Division IV quarterfinal game against Buckeye at Paradise Valley High School. But whether Blue Ridge would earn its sixth shutout of the year turned out to be the only drama in the Yellow Jackets' 41-14 romp.

Blue Ridge (12-0) jumped on Buckeye early and often to roll into next week's big semifinal game against undefeated Chandler Seton Catholic.

"We just take them one game at a time," Blue Ridge coach Paul Moro said about looking ahead to next week's big game. "I'm just happy to be playing in the semifinals again."

A 12-play scoring drive on the game's opening possession set the tone and signaled a long night for Buckeye fans.  Blue Ridge already had a 14-0 lead when Buckeye had only run one offensive play. Quarterback Skyler Hill had a hand in both scores, running into the end zone from 12 yards out to cap the first possession, then throwing a 36-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Jacks two plays after picking off a Buckeye pass.

 

Chans Cox extended to lead to 21-0 by breaking free for a 76-yard touchdown run near the beginning of the second quarter.

 

Hill and Jacks later connected on a 43-yard reception to set up a five-yard touchdown run by Danny Groebner that made it 28-0.

 

Buckeye's highlights came on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Alex Alvarez to Jason Bell late in the first half and a five-minute scoring drive to start the second half that made the score 34-14.

It was only the second time all season Blue Ridge had surrendered double figures in points. The first came last week in a first-round game against Coolidge. Yet, Buckeye's inconstant offense was unable to do further damage.

"We're not there yet," said Buckeye coach Bobby Barnes, whose team finished 9-3.