By Raven Boone

After a rough start this season, Laveen Cesar Chavez won its first game Friday night. 

Chavez won an away, non-conference game against rival school Laveen Betty H. Fairfax, 28-14.

The 5A Conference’s Fairfax defense couldn't stop 6A Conference Chavez junior running back Mike Rodgers, who scored three touchdowns and rushed for 246 yards.

“My line did a great job blocking today,” Rodgers said. “They kept pushing, and I kept using them. I waited till I saw the seams open, soon as they opened I took my chance and leaned forward every time.”

Chavez (1-4) fumbled early in the first quarter but regained possession after an interception by Tavion Allen. 

In the second quarter, Chavez jumped on the scoreboard first when quarterback Carlos Ritchie and Allen connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass.

Fairfax (4-2) quickly tied the score when Ezzard Carroll connected with wide receiver Carmayne White for a 46-yard touchdown.

Rodgers then began his series of touchdowns with a 30-yard rush to put Chavez back in the lead.

“They (Chavez) are big. They’re strong. They’re well coached. They love football, and they played it pretty well,” Fairfax coach Dylan Winemiller said. “They’re the best 1-4 team in the state, but I’m proud of my boys.”

Before halftime, Daron Stevenson returned a 55-yard interception to tie things up, but in the second half Rodgers finished the third quarter with a 3-yard rush touchdown.

Fairfax remained scoreless as Chavez continued the pounding.

“This win was big for us,” Rodgers said. “It was an 0-4 start, and a lot of heads were starting to go down. A lot of people thought that we were going to lose this game, and we proved them wrong.”

Rodgers finished the night with a 62-yard touchdown run up the middle with 3:42 left in the game.

Fairfax forced Chavez to make many turnovers throughout the game, but they just couldn't stop Rodgers from scoring.

“We moved the ball really well,” Chavez head coach Jim Rattay said. “We ran it well, and we had a few good passes. But we have to clean up the turnovers. 

“It’s has really, really been tough for our kids to start the season the way that they did. We lost a game in overtime. We lost a game by two points, and we lost a game by a touchdown. Just heart-breaking for these kids, but this game is exhilarating.” 

Rattay is hoping that his team’s newfound excitement and confidence and a bit more practice will help them continue winning.

“This is the big rival game,” Rattay said. “This game was for our season. We had to win this game for a chance to get into the playoffs and to have a great year.”

Boone is a sports journalism student at Arizona State.