Brophy 14
Desert Vista 38

By Tyler J. Scott ’12
THE ROUNDUP

Brophy had five turnovers Friday, Oct. 29 against Desert Vista, four in the second half, to help fuel the Thunder offense to a 38-14 victory.

Brophy fell to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the Fiesta Region.

“You can’t win games when you turn the ball over and they ran the ball effectively against us. We did get stops, just didn’t capitalize,” head coach Mr. Scooter Molander said about Brophy’s mistakes.

On Brophy’s second drive of the game, Marche Dennard ’13 capped off a 74-yard drive with a three yard touchdown run to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead with 3:57 left in the first quarter.

The Thunder answered with a 53-yard touchdown run by senior wide receiver and safety Michael Ingrassia.

Desert Vista missed the extra point, making the score 7-6 with 2:50 left in the first quarter.

A Bronco three-and-out led to a 48-yard touchdown pass from Desert Vista junior Hunter Rodriguez to junior receiver Shaw Loomer on the first play of the second quarter to give the Thunder their first lead of the game, 13-7.

The ensuing drive ended in one play as Josh Dennard ’11 fumbled after catching an 18-yard pass from Greg Wirth ’13.

The Thunder did not capitalize and the Broncos soon found themselves with the ball again with 7:55 left in the first half.

Brophy went 99 yards in four plays to score with a 78-yard touchdown pass from Fred Gammage ’12 to Devon Allen ’13 to give Brophy the lead, 14-13 with 6:08 left in the first half.

After a 63-yard kickoff return from Ingrassia, the Thunder settled on a 31-yard field goal to make the score 16-14 Thunder with 2:51 left in the half.

The Broncos went 65 yards to get into field goal range but Zac Bryan ’12 missed a 29-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in the half.

On the first play of the second half for Brophy, a bobbled exchange from Wirth to Allen led to a fumble recovered by the Thunder on the Brophy 13-yard line.

After a 12-yard run by junior running back Mike Arredondo, senior Aaron Smith punched in a one yard touchdown run.

However, the Brophy blocked the extra point to make the score 22-14 Thunder with7:46 left in the third.

After another three-and-out, Brophy punted and Desert Vista got another field goal, this time a 31-yarder to stretch their lead to 25-14 with 41 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Thunder got the ball back 24 seconds later when Wirth threw an interception to junior defensive back Matt Geranen.

After the Broncos surrendered the ball because of a failed fourth down conversion, Desert Vista’s Arredondo got a five-yard touchdown run to make the lead 32-14 with 4:37 left in the game.

With 2:39 left in the game, Brophy held Desert Vista to a three-and-out; however, the Broncos fumbled the punt return and Desert Vista took over on their own 13 yard line.

Sophomore receiver Kaleb Germinaro had a 12-yard touchdown run but the extra point was missed, making the score 38-14 Thunder which would hold out as the final score.

Wirth was six for 14 with 57 yards, an interception and a fumble.

Gammage went seven for nine with 143 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 11 yards.

Josh Dennard had 11 carries for 42 yards, three catches for 28 yards and two fumbles.

Marche Dennard had five carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 25 yards.

Allen had four carries for 22 yards, a fumble, four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Auran ’13 had two catches for 32 yards.

For Desert Vista, Hunter Rodriguez went 15 for 20 with 187 yards and a touchdown. He also had four carries for seven yard.

Ingrassia had five carries for 62 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 50 yards.

“They are a good ball club, they’re not 7-2 for some unknown reason, they’ve got good size, speed and they’ve used it well,” Mr. Molander said about Desert Vista.

The Broncos will travel to Yuma to face the Criminals on Friday. Nov. 5 for their final game of the year.

There is still a slim chance that Brophy will make the playoffs, however, they need a win against Yuma.

“It’s important for us to get this next ballgame,” Mr. Molander said.

More photos from the game: