Victoria Garza is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student 

A late start and a running clock did not spook the Brophy Broncos on Friday night as they defeated the Saguaro Sabercats, 29-6. The game, originally scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff, did not begin until 9 p.m. because of multiple lightning delays.

The seniors at Brophy College Prep were intended to have a pregame ceremony, but the heavy rain and lightning delays prevented it. Despite this, the Broncos remained focused, coach Jason Jewell said. 

“We do actually prepare for this situation,” Jewell said. “During fall camp, we talk about that. There’s going to be times when you have to go back to the locker room, and there’s not going to be an asterisk next to it that says lightning delay if you lose, just that you lost.” 

The Broncos (6-3,3-0) got on the board early in the first quarter when senior wide receiver Ryder Noche scored on a 20-yard run on a second-and-10. Jack Carson, senior kicker, kicked the extra point and put Brophy up 7-0. 

Senior wide receiver Donovan McNabb Jr. caught a 28-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, putting the Broncos up 13-0. A failed Sabercat snap on a fourth-and-8 traveled through the end zone, resulting in a safety and adding two points to Brophy’s lead.

The Sabercats (0-7) kicked from the 20, and sophomore Mason Alexander returned the kick 30 yards, setting up junior running back Eli Price’s 25-yard rushing touchdown. Carson’s kick was good, giving  Brophy a 22-0  halftime lead. 

The score quickly became 29-0 when senior running back Travis Tobias carried for 19 yards into the end zone on the second-and-10 in the third quarter, followed by an extra point from Carson.

The  Sabercats remained scoreless until late in the fourth quarter when senior wide receiver Oliver Gibson scored on a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The Sabercats did not score the extra point, leaving the game at 29-6. 

Of a total of 144 offensive yards, Brophy seniors accounted for 127 – Hudson Kobes with 42 passing yards, Ryder Noche and Travis Tobias with 30 and 27 total, and Donovan McNabb Jr. with 28 receiving yards. 

Jewell said that it was important to play Friday’s game, despite the multiple weather delays. 

“We want to honor our seniors,” Jewell said. “The seniors mean everything in the world to me. They’re fantastic. I appreciate all the time and effort they’ve put into the program the last four years.” 

No. 7 Brophy will host the No. 15 Higley Knights on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Both teams have 3-0 records in the 6A Central region.