Jacob Jones
ASU Student Journalist

Apollo rolls over Barry Goldwater in regional opener, 49-20

October 8, 2022 by Jacob Jones, Arizona State University


Frank Lautt calling plays on the sideline at the end of the second quarter. (Photo taken by Jacob Jones.)

Jacob Jones is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Barry Goldwater for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX -- Senior quarterback Silas Chicharello and junior running back Adam Mohammed combined for seven total touchdowns as Apollo High School rolled over Barry Goldwater, 49-20, Friday night.

From the beginning of the game, it was clear that the Hawks had the advantage and the momentum to carry them, even after an interception on their first drive set them back.

But the woes would stop there for Apollo as it preceded to pick off Barry Goldwater junior quarterback Brodie Drank on his first attempt of the first quarter. 

Mohammed lead the Hawks to the game's first points with an 11-yard touchdown run, which gave Apollo an early 7-0 lead. 

But Barry Goldwater answered back with a touchdown run by junior running back Markhi McKinnon, making the score 7-6 after the ensuing extra point was blocked. 

Mohammed returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. But his first-quarter success wouldn't stop there. Barry Goldwater’s fumble on the next drive set up the Hawks with excellent field position -- and set Mohammed up for a 2-yard touchdown to extend Apollo's lead to 21-6.

The running and passing attack of the Hawks would continue to gash Barry Goldwater's defense as scoring drives from sophomore wide receiver Isaiah White and quarterback Sylus Stevenson extended the lead to 35-6 before the four-minute mark of the second quarter. 

Barry Goldwater head coach Frank Lautt was disappointed at the lack of discipline his team showed, especially in a rough first half.

“I’m disappointed and we didn't play well,” Lautt said. “And we had a lot of turnovers that turned the momentum in their direction.”

The second half brought similar results as a Barry Goldwater three-and-out set up Apollo with excellent field position coming into their first drive.

The Hawks would waste no time in their first possession of the second half. On their third play of the drive, junior receiver Isaiah White scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass to extend the Hawks' lead to 42-12.

Apollo would add a late score in the fourth quarter to push their lead to 49-12.

Barry Goldwater defensive coordinator Rudy Menedez expressed that his team has to be a lot more sound going to the last part of the season and that it’s time to look at themselves in the mirror.

“We're just disappointed because we know we could play better than that,” Menendez said. “We’re telling them that there's nowhere to hide. I don't know if you heard the postgame speech. We know how good we could play.”

Lautt shared the same sentiment when it comes to moving on and learning from Friday night.

“Again, we've got a lot of work to do to get where we want to be so gotta get back on track starting on Monday,” Lautt said.

Junior offensive lineman Carlos Pedregon shared in the disappointment. He previewed the work left to be done and the goals left to be completed in the last four games of the season.

“We just have to be more discipline. We have to be at practice on time more and hopefully, the coaches are going to push us this harder,” Pedregon said.

Barry Goldwater will return home against Ironwood High School on Oct. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.