Red Mountain runs all over Cibola defense

Mesa-Red Mountain running back Derrick Molina rumbled for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns as the Mountain Lions rolled over host Cibola 39-0 for their fourth victory of the season.

The Raiders (1-2 overall) entered Friday night’s contest attempting to rebound after falling to Skyline High School last week 13-6. After their dismal offensive performance last week, the Raiders were looking for a way to duplicate running back Roy Thompson’s 186-yard, three touchdown performance from week one.

After starting the season 3-0, the Mountain Lions arrived in Yuma hoping to extend their winning streak by riding the hot hand of quarterback John O’Connor, who has already thrown for more than 600 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Red Mountain struck early thanks to a short punt by Cibola which placed the Mountain Lions on the Raiders' 29-yard line. After a defensive pass interference, O’Connor completed a 5-yard pass to wide receiver Jacob Tune who proceeded to juke his way around Raider defenders on his way to the end zone to give the Mountain Lions a 6-0 lead with 10:09 remaining in the first quarter.  

After two futile drives of three and out, the Raiders found themselves with a fourth-and-goal on Red Mountain’s 1-yard line. Unfortunately for Cibola, the Mountain Lions did not bite on the misdirection and completed the goal line stand by taking the ball away on downs.

On the Mountain Lions' first play from scrimmage, with the ball on their one yard line, O’Connor pitched the ball to Molina who scampered for a 99-yard touchdown run with 3:18 remaining in the first. The two-point conversion was good, giving Red Mountain a 14-0 lead.

Molina extended Red Mountain’s lead by plunging three yards for a touchdown with 3:45 left in the second. After missing the extra point, Red Mountain led 20-0.

The teams played to a stalemate in the third until Red Mountain blocked a punt and set up shop on Cibola’s 25-yard line. It took Molina only four consecutive carries to score his third touchdown of the evening, increasing Red Mountain’s lead to 26-0.

With 6:20 remaining in the fourth, Red Mountain padded its lead when O’Connor threw a pass to the flats and Molina took it 46 yards for a touchdown, placing Red Mountain ahead 33-0.

Cibola quarterback Dylan Arviso was plagued all game by Mountain Lion defenders and dropped passes, preventing any continuity from forming on the offensive side of the ball. In addition, Thompson’s quality runs were interspersed throughout the game as the entire Raider offense struggled all evening against a stout Mountain Lion defensive unit.

Next week Cibola travels to Phoenix to take on North Canyon High School at 7 p.m.