Richard Grube is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Barry Goldwater High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX — Whether it was Marvin Larry sprinting 38 yards for the opening score, Jorge Gastelum pulling off a flea-flicker or running backs bulldozing through the defense, the Barry Goldwater Bulldogs showcased its full playbook Thursday in a 36-6 win over the Dobson Mustangs.

With only four days to prepare after last week’s rain-delayed win, Barry Goldwater wasted no time, breaking the game open on the ground with explosive plays that set the tone for the victory.

On the second snap of the game, Goldwater freshman running back Eduardo Gastelum ripped through the Mustang defense for a 24-yard run. The very next play: senior running back Marvin Larry sprints untouched down the sideline for an electrifying 38-yard touchdown.

It looked as if Dobson was going to respond offensively on its first possession of the contest, but chaos ensued after a botched snap on a field goal attempt led to a scramble for the ball. Bulldogs senior Jay’el Lozano came up with the football and ran it all the way back for an 82-yard special teams touchdown. 

Similarly, the snap for the extra point attempt was botched by the Bulldogs, but it didn’t lead to a score, and Goldwater held a 13-0 lead early in the first quarter. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs forced a turnover or punt on all but one drive. 

“We take a lot of pride in getting stops because it gives the offense more chances to score,” senior defensive lineman Makhi Goliday said. 

Goliday brought the energy throughout the game on defense forcing numerous quarterback sacks and tackles for loss in the run game. 

“I studied film a lot, and my coaches kept me focused,” Goliday said. “When I saw them shift, I knew what to read and how to attack.”

Head coach Frank Lautt said during practice this week that the team needed to focus on stamina, fundamentals and discipline because of the short week. Nearly the entire running back room was on display in tonight’s game.

Antonio Williams, Goldwater’s leading rusher so far this season, was out with a leg injury, but the offense still had three different players put a rushing touchdown on the stat sheet. 

“We’ve got a whole bunch of running backs who can hit the hole, and that balance helped us control the game,” Lautt said. 

Eduardo Gastelum, Gabe Smith and Lozano each recorded a rushing touchdown. 

Although the majority of the Bulldogs’ playbook consists of run plays, the offense had a trick up its sleeve while driving in a 13-6 ballgame.

The original handoff was pitched back to sophomore quarterback Jorge Gastelum on what looked like a run play, and Gastelum threw the ball to a wide open Cale Drank for a touchdown. Jorge then ran the ball to convert a two-point conversion to extend the Bulldog lead to 21-6. 

“The flea-flicker was super fun,” Jorge said. “It’s unexpected, and when it works, it gives us energy.”

Jorge was all over the ball whether it was throwing, running or even throwing around some huge blocks on run plays. 

“Patience was the key for me — waiting until the holes opened and then hitting them,” Jorge said.

It is rare you see a quarterback get physical in the run game, but nonetheless, Jorge laid out not one but two blocks on one play in the second quarter resulting in a big run for Larry. 

This was the first 5A Central Valley Region game for both teams this season, and Goldwater set the tone improving to 4-2 (1-0 5A Central Valley Region) while Dobson fell to 2-4 (0-1). 

“If we practice like we did this week, we can carry this momentum forward into next week,” Lautt said.