Desert Edge defeats Saguaro

A 21 point third quarter helps the Scorpions erase a 21-3 halftime deficit

Recap

In what turned out to be the tale of two halves, Desert Edge came back from a 21-3 deficit to rally and beat Saguaro 38-35.

Saguaro struck first late in the 1st quarter on a 2 yard Christian Kirk TD run.

Desert Edge answered on their next drive, scoring on a 32 yard Chris Brown field goal. 7-3 Sabercats.

With 2:19 left in the half, Saguaro got the ball and it took them all of 25 seconds to score to extend their lead to 14-3. QB Luke Rubenzer hit Garrett Ball for the score.

Kirk then picked off a Sawyer Lung pass and returned it to the 15 yard line, setting up a Rubenzer TD run. Saguaro took a 21-3 lead into halftime and looked to have the game in control.

The Scorpions came out swinging. Looking to make up for the interception, Lung hit Elijah Marks in stride for a 54 yard TD on the half's opening possession.

After forcing a turn over on downs, Lung again found Marks, this time getting tackled at the 1. Lung fought his way in on the next drive and Desert Edge narrowed the lead to 21-17.

With all of the momentum in favor of Desert Edge, Saguaro got a much needed score on their next drive. Rubenzer hit Ayden Richards for a score that put the Sabercats up 28-17.

For the third time in three possessions, Desert Edge would score in the third quarter. Lung hit Ismael Murphy-Richardson for another score after hooking up with C.J. Heard for a crucial 3rd down conversion. 28-24.

This 28 point third quarter set up what proved to be an exicting 4th quarter finish.

On the first play in the 4th, Desert Edge RB Kyle Woolard scored n a 48 yard run to give the Scorpions their first lead of the game. 31-28.

Saguaro drove the length of the field, only to fumble the ball away, a swing that changed the face of the game. Desert Edge drove the length of the field, converting several third downs and scored to take a 10 point lead. Lung hit Marks for another score, this one from 35 yards out to extend their lead to 38-28.

On 3rd and 11, Rubenzer hit Richards for a 32 yard score and after the Sabercat defense forced a punt, the crowd got a last minute finish.

Down 38-35, Saguaro again drove the field, this time getting inside the 15 yard line with 1 minute to play. But another fumble recovered by Desert Edge finished of the 2012 season for the defending D3 state champs.

Final- Desert Edge 38 Saguaro 35

Bottomline

What a hard fought game. This game could have gone either way. Give credit for Desert Edge for not throwing in the towel when they were down 21-3 at the half.

Game Ball

Desert Edge QB Sawyer Lung and WR Elijah Marks