Justin de Haas is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com

The Mesa Jackrabbits spoiled the Dobson Mustangs’ homecoming game by winning 38-13 via five rushing touchdowns from four different players on Friday night at Dobson High School.

Mesa started the game off strong with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from senior wide receiver Tre Brown off a jet sweep, taking a 7-0 lead. The Jackrabbits had a good start to the second quarter with junior quarterback Cash Merrell scoring a 2-yard rushing touchdown off a quarterback sneak extending the lead to 14-0.

The touchdown gave the Jackrabbits momentum as the Mustangs looked rattled on their next drive by having a three and out and bobbling the punt in their own territory. Mesa started on the Dobson 25-yard line and took advantage of the great field position. Senior running back McKy Peters scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Jackrabbits a 21-0 lead.

Dobson was reinvigorated when senior cornerback Blake Cameron returned the kickoff to the Mesa 25-yard line. Legg took over from that point on as he ran for 24 yards and was stopped just short of the goal line. Legg punched it in on the next play via quarterback sneak to cut the deficit to 21-7.

Legg said Dobson gained momentum from that kick return.

“100 percent we were gaining momentum,” Legg said. “We were driving the ball and some things happened in the second half that didn’t go our way that didn’t happen in the first half. We kind of fell off after that. Blake’s run was insane and that was one of the best plays of the game for sure.”

The momentum for Dobson carried over to defense as it forced a three and out and a bobbled punt allowed the Mustangs to start on the Mesa 22-yard line. Legg was able to get a 33-yard field goal attempt, but it was blocked and the score remained 21-7 going into halftime.

The second half started poorly for Dobson when junior running back Allen Wallace fumbled the ball and lost possession. Mesa capitalized on this mistake when senior wide receiver Tre Brown scored his second rushing touchdown on another jet sweep from 10 yards out.

Dobson fumbled again when the exchange between Legg and his center went haywire. Mesa took advantage of this turnover when junior running back Junior St. Cyr scored on a 21-yard rushing touchdown, putting the lead at 35-7.

Legg scored his second touchdown of the game and his first one in the air via a 19-yard pass to junior wide receiver Taurus Eastgate to cut the deficit down to 35-13. Mesa responded with a 30-yard field goal to push the lead out to 38-13.

Senior linebacker Michael Delligatti said he was proud that the defense did not allow any passing touchdowns.

“It’s a good testament,” Delligatti said. “I think we played our butts off in both the rush game and pass game. They exploited some mistakes and that’s basically how they scored. When we played 110% with no mistakes, they were getting locked down.”

Dobson head coach Bill Godsil talked about why the run defense for the Mustangs struggled against the Jackrabbits and how they can improve next week against Mountain Pointe.

“We just have to make sure we are sound for sure,” Godsil said. “We got penetrated. We gave up some outside contain issues. We have a couple sophomores playing on the outside, so as they grow up, we’ll get better at it.”

The Dobson Mustangs hope to earn their first victory of the season next week, when they host Mountain Pointe Pride on Friday.