Red Mesa strikes fast, holds off Valley for 44–22 win

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

SANDERS, Ariz.

The Red Mesa football team opened last Thursday night’s game with authority, forcing turnovers and converting big plays early to jump out to a commanding lead before holding off the Valley Pirates 44–22.

Earlier in the season, Valley had edged Red Mesa 20–12 in their opener, but this time Red Mesa flipped the script with a relentless defense and an explosive start that set the tone from the opening series.

Red Mesa wasted no time setting the tone on defense. After Valley opened on their own 48-yard line, senior Deyvn John intercepted a pass near midfield to flip momentum early. That set up Red Mesa’s offense deep in Valley territory, but a fumble ended the promising drive.

Moments later, the defense struck again. Sophomore Troyd Grey read the quarterback perfectly and returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter. The two-point try failed, but Red Mesa was on the board first, 6–0.

Valley answered with a steady drive to the Red Mesa 8-yard line, but the Red Mesa’s defense stuffed four straight plays to force a turnover on downs. With under a minute left, senior quarterback Kesler Dan connected with senior receiver Jovun Paul on an 80-yard touchdown strike, followed by a two-point conversion pass to junior running back Tatum Mitchell, putting Red Mesa up 14–0 to end the opening quarter.

Valley’s next series sputtered on penalties and sacks, and when Red Mesa regained possession, the offense found rhythm behind a mix of runs by freshmen running back Ryder Lameman, senior running back Ethan Jucal, and John. The drive ended with John finishing it himself on an 11-yard rush for a touchdown. Jucal two-point run made it 22–0 midway through the quarter.

Just before halftime, Dan added to the lead with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell, extending the advantage to 28–0. Valley finally broke through on special teams with a kickoff return touchdown by junior Orrin Francisco, plus a successful two-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 28–8 at halftime.

The third quarter turned into a defensive slugfest. Red Mesa’s offense moved the ball across midfield but was stopped by an interception in the red zone. Valley countered with a drive to the Red Mesa 2-yard line, but the defense again made a stand — Mitchell and Dan combined for back-to-back tackles for loss to preserve the lead. The Red Mesa entered the final quarter still ahead 28–8.

Valley cut the lead to 28–14 early in the fourth with an 18-yard touchdown run by Francisco, his second score, but Red Mesa immediately answered. Grey returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and extending the score to 36–14 after the successful point after.

Moments later, Mitchell intercepted another Valley pass and set up Red Mesa at the 9-yard line. Two plays later, Dan found John for a 19-yard touchdown, and after a two-point conversion the lead expanded to 44–14.

Valley managed one last touchdown pass to cut it to 44–22, but Red Mesa controlled possession and the clock the rest of the way.

Red Mesa’s blend of defensive pressure and explosive offense powered them to a 44–22 win, improving their season record and maintaining momentum heading into the final stretch.

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