Patrick Reneau is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover San Tan Charter School for AZPreps365.com

An explosive first half for San Tan Charter propelled the Roadrunners to a shutout victory over the Sequoia Pathway Academy Panthers Friday night at Sequoia Pathway.

The undefeated Roadrunners scored 47 of their 54 points in the first half, including 21 in the first quarter en route to a 54-0 victory.

Senior quarterback and Arizona State commit Uriah Neloms threw for five touchdowns in the first half, including a 60-yard  pass in the first quarter to Timi Akinyoyenu, who was making his first start. Akinyoyenu was ineligible for the first five games of the season after transferring from Chandler Prep. 

“I waited a long time since I’m a transfer,” Akinyoyenu said. “I was itching on the sideline to play, but I was happy to play with them tonight.”

The Roadrunners led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter with Christian Munoz rushing for one TD and Neloms throwing for two to Akinyoyenu and senior running back Cavell Joseph.

The Panthers fumbled the ball twice in the second quarter, both of which led to TDs for the Roadrunners. 

“Mistakes are going to happen,” Panthers coach Brandon Payne said. “It’s been a consistent thing all year.”

The Roadrunners went on to score 26 points in the second quarter with Neloms throwing three TD passes and Joseph rushing for one. Akinyoyenu, senior tight end Dwayne Jones and junior wide receiver Brady Prassas all caught TD passes in the second quarter. 

In the first half, the Roadrunners were heavily focused on their short passing game. 

“I thought we needed to work a lot on our quick passing game. Some of our drop-back passing game needs to develop,” San Tan coach Chase Cartwright said. 

The Panthers began to move the ball in the third quarter and gain some momentum, something Payne attributed to the team going back to their spread formation.

“We tried to give them a different look but it just didn’t work, so we had to go back to our spread look and we started moving the ball a little,” Payne said.

The Panthers held the ball for nearly the entire third quarter but were unable to find the end zone after the Roadrunners forced a turnover on downs near the end of quarter. 

On the last play of the third quarter the Roadrunners’ freshman quarterback, Luke Cardis, found senior fullback Samuel Sharpe for a 46-yard gain to convert on third-and-16. Cardis capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Samuel Servin to make the score 54-0.

The Roadrunners (6-0) will host No. 2-ranked Santa Cruz Valley (7-0) next Friday at 7 p.m.

The Panthers (1-5) will travel to Alchesay (4-2) next Friday at 7 p.m.