Shy Ghara
ASU Student Journalist

Casteel beats Corona del Sol in final regular season home game

November 11, 2022 by Shy Ghara, Arizona State University


The Colts on a second-quarter drive against the Aztecs (Shy Ghara/AZPrep365)

Shy Ghara is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Marcos de Niza and Corona del Sol High School for AZPreps365.com

Corona del Sol (8-2) entered their final regular season matchup at Casteel on a seven-game win streak. Converse, the Colts (7-3) began their season on a four-game streak then lost three of their next five games before they hosted the red hot Aztecs on Thursday.

The Colts routed them, 31-14, because of their dominant defense from the kickoff. 

Despite CDS dealing with plenty of injuries, including missing nine of their starters, the Aztecs' head coach Jake Barro was not disappointed with his team’s effort, especially his defense,. 

“I’m proud of the way they fought. The defense gave us a really good game," Barro said.

CDS started the game on a drive that resulted in a turnover on downs. The Colts moved the ball downfield and were able to score a field goal. Then they forced a fumble on the Aztecs' wide receiver Michael Lopez during their next possession, which set up field position for the Colts to quickly score on a one-yard touchdown rush up the middle from their fullback Austin Young.

The first quarter ended with the Colts up 10-0.

Early in the second quarter, the Aztecs responded with a TD on a 56-yard quarterback run by Crew Swearingen on third down. Swearingen used his speed to avoid two pass rushers who narrowly missed sacking him, and he accelerated past the entire Colt defense to the endzone.

The Aztecs did not allow the Colts to score in the quarter. The Aztecs had a chance to tie the game 10-10 with a field goal late in the first half, but their kicker Carston Kieffer missed the attempt.

Things started to slip away from the Aztecs in the third period.

Casteel started with the ball in the half and their plays such as quarterback-keepers and screen passes moved the ball downfield and into the endzone. CDS had no answer for the Colts' quarterback Landon Jury. He broke loose on designed runs using his speed and physicality.

After the Aztecs committed another turnover on downs, the Colts used that momentum and racked up plenty of yards from its air raid. Casteel receiver JJ Newcombe made a remarkable 44-yard catch down the flat to bring the Colts close to another scoring opportunity. The Colts completed the drive on Newcombe's slant route and his TD catch the next play to extend their lead, 24-7.

The fourth quarter was where the game was put completely out of reach. On the Aztecs’ first drive in that period, Swearingen was chased, got hit as he threw, and he threw it right into the hands of Young -- who also plays middle linebacker on defense -- for a 46-yard pick six.

“I felt like we all played fantastic around the ball. It’s special, but to me it’s just another game," Young said. 

The Aztecs were not able to score on the following possession after the Colts burned much time during their previous series. Casteel scored their final TD from their running back Jonathan Kubat.

CDS linebacker Tristan Shafer, who led the team in tackles, admired his team's grit and heart they displayed despite all those injuries.

“I saw us keep fighting. Even when the score went up, I saw us keep fighting," Shafer said.

For both of these teams, they will have to await their opponent in their upcoming 6A conference playoffs starting Nov. 18.