Battle of unbeatens—Buckeye at Verrado—this Friday
The Verrado Viper varsity football team travelled to Flagstaff last Saturday with the opportunity to do something the team has never done before—start a season with a 3-0 record.
After a thrilling come-from-behind 42-35 double overtime victory over Tolleson during week 1, and a 43-13 dismantling of Dysart in week 2 the Vipers were treading into new territory.
The prospects for Verrado looked good going into the game. The Eagles were 1-1 in their first two games of the season. They squeaked out a win over a struggling Phoenix Central team and were soundly defeated on the road by Peoria.
Clearly, Verrado had the momentum going into the game. The Vipers also had depth in terms of the number of players on the team which seemed double the number of Flagstaff players.
Verrado did not hesitate to open the scoring. Nathan Roehl took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in a play that quickly set the tone for the game.
The Vipers scored in almost every way possible during the game.
Quarterback Lathon Lax scored on a quarterback sneak.
Receiver Xavier James scored on a 48 yard reverse.
Devin Draper recovered a punt, blocked by Dillon Ratliff, in the end zone for a touchdown.
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| Verrado defensive back Devin Draper celebrates after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown. |
Andy Gurnsey recovered a Flagstaff missed lateral pass and rumbled down the sideline for the score.
Isaiah Harrison caught a pass down the middle of the field for a touchdown.
Chris Slaughter ran untouched down the middle of the field for a touchdown.
Verrado’s defense and special teams scored three safeties in the game.
And Verrado’s two place-kickers, Paden Goucher and Danny Casillas kicked 42 and 43-yard field goals respectively.
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| Verrado's Paden Goucher kicks a 42-yard field goal from a Dillon Ratliff hold to give Verrado a 53-6 in the first quarter. |
When the final whistle blew the Vipers had racked up 60 points for the 60-14 win. It is the most points the Vipers have ever scored in a varsity football game.
In the first three games this season the team has scored 145 points.
Verrado has proven this year they can score from anywhere, which makes this week’s upcoming contest against Buckeye even more intriguing.
The Hawks, also 3-0, have put up 138 points in three games and only allowed 26 points, shutting out two of their opponents.
Buckeye took no prisoners in its latest game against South and scored 67 points.
Still lingering in the memories of both teams is last year’s contest at Buckeye which saw the Hawks win a see-saw battle 32-31.
First-year Hawk coach Kelley Moore has yet to experience his first Hawks vs. Vipers game.
Verrado head coach Derek Wahlstrom has prepared his team well with an off-season training regimen and tournament play that has helped form a cohesive core of players.
This week’s game, played at Verrado, is a game of the week for many high school football watchers around the valley.
Buckeye has dominated the series as Verrado has yet to defeat the Hawks; however, during the past three seasons, Verrado has managed to narrow the margin of victory each year—a sign of coming of age for a relatively new high school football program.
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