Skydome Update: Marcos de Niza QB Braesen Leon throws 4 TDs in 41-0 rout of Vista Grande
September 3, 2022 by Brian M. Bergner Jr., AZPreps365
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was changed to reflect that Marcos de Niza's Jireh Watson had the 35-yard interception return for a TD, not Dominic Molina.
FLAGSTAFF — Quarterback Braesen Leon threw four touchdown passes, Jireh Watson had a 35-yard interception return for a score and Marcos de Niza opened the season with a 41-0 rout over Vista Grande at the Walkup Skydome on Saturday afternoon.
Braesen completed 14 of 24 passes for 198 yards, leading teammate Juan Lopez three times into the end zone for the Padres, which finished a disappointing 4-6 a season ago after losing three of their final four games by a combined score of 164-28.
Lopez had five catches for 111 yards and the three touchdowns, while Lorenzo Alexander had 17 carries for 70 yards rushing.
Marcos de Niza (1-0, 0-0 4A Desert Sky) racked up more than 300 yards against the Spartans, which had no answer themselves on that side of the ball, mustering just 68 yards of total offense.
Leon and Lopez opened the game’s scoring with a 10-yard strike in the first quarter, then found each other twice more in quarter No. 2, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-0 with 7:55 left in the first half.
Back-to-back field goals by Damian Gonzalez gave the Padres a 27-0 lead before Leon found Mason Stromstad on a 9-yard score, his fourth of the day.
With 9:26 to go in the game, Watson stepped in front of a Darren Castro pass and took it 35 yards to the house, making it 41-0.
For Vista Grande, Castro completed just 3 of 13 passes under center for -1 yard and one interception, while scrambling seven times for 50 yards.
UP NEXT
Marcos de Niza heads to Fountain Hills on Friday, Sept. 9, in Week 4 action. The Falcons have dropped two of their first three games, more recently a 33-12 loss to Scottsdale Christian on Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 7p.m.
Vista Grande (0-1, 0-0 4A Kino) is scheduled to host Florence (3-0, 0-0 3A Central) on Friday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.
