Salpointe scored 21 points in the first quarter alone to help pace the Lancers to a 48-9 victory over Sierra Vista Buena at home Friday night.

Buena had a difficult time figuring out Salpointe's smothering defensive scheme and struggled on the ground and in the air, gaining only 203 yards in the game while Salpointe finished with 604.

544 of those yards came via the rush, with senior quarterback Sammy Muñiz collecting 222 on his own. Muñiz busted three runs of 40 yards or more in the game but only finished with 60 yards through the air.  

"Our offensive line deserves all the credit," explained Muñiz, "They came together and made my job look easy. I want to keep on playing"

Salpointe had an even offensive game plan last year when they went 14-0 and won the Division II title but their top seven receivers graduated including University of Arizona freshmen Cameron Denson and Kaelin DeBoskie. Quarterback Andrew Cota is at Colorado Mesa.

Junior Zach Dorame rushed 10 times for 145 yards and Nevada commit Taylor Powell scored three times on offense and anchored Salpointe's defense.

Buena came out with Braxton Bennett under center but Mitchell Hale took over to help first-year coach Brice Bernbeck try to figure out the Lancer defense.

"I definitely like to score," said Powell.  "But I love playing defense. This was a good win for us and now we have to take one game at a time. I think coach saw how well the younger guys played but there are areas we can work on."

Buena (0-1) will travel to Tempe Corona del Sol (0-0) next Friday and Salpointe (1-0) will play at Sabino (0-0). 

PHOTO: Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene talks things over with Sammy Muñiz. (Andy Morales)