The matchup to decide who would be crowned District 1-5A Division II Champions took place Friday Night at Emperor Stadium. Both the visiting Canutillo Eagles and the Horizon Scorpions were undefeated in district play.
Both teams featured exciting running backs that could ignite their offenses for their respective teams at any moment. With the district title on the line in Horizon, the Eagles were looking to go home with the title.
Canutillo was the first to get on the scoreboard with a 21yd td run by LJ Martin midway thru the first quarter. The Scorpions struggled to get their offense running in the opening but their defense set up a early second quarter touchdown by forcing a turnover.
Horizon would even the game up at 7-7 early in the second quarter with a 9yd touchdown pass to Ernie García. Midway thru the quarter García would score on a 46yd run to give the Scorpions the lead. Shortly before halftime, Canutillo would score on a 26yd td run by Martin. The point after attempt was no good and Horizon led 14-13 at the half.
Canutillo would come out from halftime with a 92yd kickoff return for a touchdown by their workhorse Martin. They also completed a two point conversion to take a 21-14 lead. Martin would go on to get a touchdown reception of 76yds from Devin Granados to take a 29-14 lead after another successful two point conversion. Horizon would answer with their first points of the half on a 2yd td pass by Quijas to narrow the lead to 29-21. On the ensuing play after the kickoff, Martin broke loose for a 50yd td run to put the Eagles up 36-21. Horizon return the gesture by scoring on their first play after kickoff on a 47yd td run by Quijas to make it a 36-28 game. Martin would score once more before the quarter ended to put Canutillo up 43-28.
The Eagles defense stepped up their performance in the fourth. They contained the Scorpions offense to a touchdown towards the end of the quarter by Quijas on a 6yd touchdown pass. Canutillo would win the game and district by a final score of 43-34.
Both teams will move on to the first round of bi-district play and await their opponents next week.
After the game, Canutillo Coach Scott Brooks talked about winning the title:
Henry Reyna Reporting