By Sam Leeper
MaxPreps.com
Earlier this season, a matchup between Del Sol and Canyon Springs was stopped early in the third quarter due to lights going out at Del Sol High School.
Friday night, in the semifinal round of the Sunrise Regional, Del Sol did some stopping of a different kind and advanced in the playoffs.
Del Sol took complete advantage once Canyon Springs quarterback Devonte Christopher was injured, and the Dragons stunned the Pioneers, 28-24.
With the win, Del Sol (10-1) will host two-time defending state champion Las Vegas (8-4) in the regional final at 6 p.m. Friday. The Wildcats advanced to the final thanks to a hard-fought 12-7 win over previously undefeated Silverado.
Christopher was slammed hard to the ground on a sack and appeared wobbly when he got up but left the field under his own power. When he came back out for the Pioneers' next offensive series, referee Chris Bibbins stopped the game and informed the Canyon Springs sideline that Christopher's night was over.
At the time, Christopher had thrown for 195 yards and a touchdown as the Pioneers held a 24-16 lead.
In his absence, the Dragons got a pair of touchdowns from Jon Kirschbaum ( a 10-yard run and a 55-yard reception) that gave Del Sol the four-point lead. Finally, a doctor emerged from the Del Sol bleachers midway through the fourth and began examining Christopher. The doctor cleared him, but again officials temporarily refused to allow him back in the game amid several discussions.
Christopher took the lead with 2:31 remaining and the Pioneers facing third-and-10 at the Del Sol 45-yard line. After running for a first down, Christopher threw and interception and Del Sol held on for the win.
Las Vegas advanced to the regional final for the eighth straight year as sophomore Emery Schexnayder scored a pair of touchdowns. The Wildcats held the Skyhawks to 110 yards rushing.
On the other side of town, the opening round of the Sunset Regional Playoffs got underway, with four games. Bishop Gorman ran past Cimarron-Memorial, 43-20, while Cheyenne needed a fourth-down stop inside the Desert Shields five to hold off Spring Valley 28-20. Western thumped Mojave 46-29 and Palo Verde took care of Sierra Vista, 28-0.
Friday night, Bishop Gorman (11-0) meets Cheyenne (8-2) while Western (8-2) travels to Palo Verde (11-0)
The Gaels got three touchdowns from Beau Orth in their win over the Spartans. At Cheyenne, the Desert Shields rushed for 214 yards in the opening period and three scores before stopping a furious Spring Valley comeback.
Western got 305 yards and six touchdowns from J.D. Buonantony in the Warrior win, setting up a matchup with Buonantony's former team in Palo Verde. Chaz Thomas led the Panthers in the win over Sierra Vista with 110 yards on 17 carries. Palo Verde rushed for 318 yards on the ground.
