Carlos Palomera is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover  La Joya Community HIgh School for AZPreps365.com

 

TOLLESON - The Sierra Linda Bulldogs held off the La Joya Fighting Lobos 19-6 on Friday night.

The Lobos' offense had 122 total yards the entire game while only being able to get six first downs.

Sierra Linda stopped La Joya on the opening drive to force a punt and drove down the field to finish with a 21-yard touchdown run. 

La Joya answered back with a drive that ended in a 2-yard touchdown run by junior running back Zion Hills. A flag on Sierra Linda was thrown leading La Joya to go for a 2-point conversion instead of the extra point.

La Joya offensive coordinator getting his offense ready pre-game. (Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)

But the Lobos failed on the 2-point conversion, and the offense was not able to do much after that.

La Joya senior quarterback Gabriel Waldren threw an interception which set up the Bulldogs’ next score. Sierra Linda quarterback Joe Pearson threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to eight points, 14-6

At halftime, the score was 17-6.

“(We) struggled on offense (and) defense wasn’t good enough early,” head coach Adam Beene said. 

La Joya did not allow a single point to Sierra Linda’s offense the second half.

“(The Lobos' defense) created a couple turnovers in the second half and forced a few punts,” Beene said. “They played their butts off the second half.”

Senior middle linebacker Cristian Chavarria led the team in tackles with nine, including two for loss.  

“Regardless of how I have been doing these past games, today I don’t think I performed to my potential,” Chavarria said. “We always have next week.”

Sophomore defensive back Alexander Tellez intercepted Pearson late in the fourth quarter. (Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)

After staring down a long fourth-and-20, La Joya lined up to punt, but it was a fake. Chavarria threw the ball but was unable to complete the pass.

The Lobos’ defense forced two fumbles, recovered one, and sophomore defensive back Alexander Tellez came up with an interception late in the fourth quarter that led to the Lobos’ offense having the ball at the 1-yard line.

Waldren was pressured in the endzone and was forced to throw the ball away, which led an intentional grounding penalty.

Sierra Linda moved the lead to 19-6.

“I feel like (the offense) could have done a better job to have the defense’s back,” Waldren said. “The only time Sierra Linda scored again was when we had a safety.”

Senior quarterback Gabriel Waldren feeling the pressure in the endzone as the defense collapses the pocket, ultimately ending in a safety.(Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)

While the outcome did not go well for the Lobos, there is optimism for the next game against the 3-3 Gila Ridge Hawks.

“If we show up throughout the week (in practice) ... then we’re going to win on Friday.” Waldren said.

Two weeks ago, La Joya beat the Coolidge Bears 12-6 to get its first win of the season. 

“I’ve already been watching film on (Gila Ridge),” Chavarria said. “I’m just ready to help my team.”

The Fighting Lobos after the game in the endzone listening to the coaches and what was done during the game. (Carlos Palomera photo/AZPreps365)