By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
TEMPE, Ariz. – Devon Kennard attempted a victory dance but with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament that wasn’t going to happen.
Instead he tried to hold up his left index finger but that wasn't so easy either. Not with him holding a pair of crutches.
It really didn’t matter though.
Desert Vista’s 20-14 upset victory at previously unbeaten Corona del Sol on Friday in a CBS College Sports-televised game was another triumph in the Thunder’s season of resiliency.
In what coach Dan Hinds said is by far the most injury-plagued year of his life, Desert Vista improved to 7-2, including a remarkable 5-1 since Kennard, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end considered the top defensive recruit in the country, endured his season-ending injury.
On Friday, the Thunder, missing at least six starters due to injury, overcame two fourth-quarter deficits and a gallant CDS goal-line stand to escape with what all said was their best win of the season.
They got big second-half performances from promising junior quarterback Cody Sokol (12 of 19, 165 yards), impressive senior receiver Casey Bolena (six catches, 78 yards) and its offensive line to knock CDS (8-1) from the unbeaten ranks.
An 8-yard touchdown pass from Sokol to Bolena with 2 minutes, 55 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner.
Kennard’s enthusiastic but paired down celebration was a symbolic tribute to a team that has overcome so much.
“We’ve pretty much seen everything this season,” Hinds said. “We’ve come back from a lot of different things. This is a very special group.”
Such has been the description of the Aztecs by their coach Gary Venturo, who watched his team give up 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Corona del Sol got 100 yards rushing and a touchdown from junior running back Michael Lange, but truthfully needed a pair of trick plays to register both of its scores against one of the state’s top defenses.
“We made too many mistakes to beat a quality team like that,” Venturo said. “(Desert Vista) made some good plays, especially in the second half, but we simply didn’t do what we should have done.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Aztecs took a 7-0 lead midway through the second when Venturo called out all the stops. On 3rd-and-goal from the 9, junior quarterback Chase Cartwright rolled right and through across field to offensive lineman Tyler Giannonatti on a tackle eligible play.
Bad news for the Aztecs was that the throw was low and it short-hopped Giannonatti. Good news for the Aztecs was that the throw was ruled a lateral and since it was set up so well, Giannonatti scooted untouched into the end zone.
“Not exactly how we drew it up, but we’ll take it,” Venturo said.
The Thunder closed to 7-3 just before halftime on a 32-yard field goal to cap a 39-yard drive that was keyed on an 18-yard run by BJ Wilson.
“It was a good way to end a pretty awful half,” said Hinds, whose team managed just 88 yards of offense the first half.
Some blocking adjustments helped paved the way for a massive 14-play, 62-yard drive to start the second half for Desert Vista that netted no points.
The Thurnder had first-and-goal from and after two runs netted seven, Lee Williams and Anthony Kereluk were stuck for no gain giving the all back to the Aztecs.
“We didn’t score, but our lineman told me that we were wearing them down,” Hinds said.
That showed on Desert Vista’s next drive, a nine-play, 71-yarder capped with a 6-yard touchdown run by Wilson, giving the Thunder their first lead 10-7. A 17-yard completion to Anders Battle and 15-yard facemask keyed the drive.
The Aztecs answered immediately, going 88 yards in nine plays finished off by Lange’s 7-yard TD run with 6:49 remaining. A 29-yard double pass from Cartwright to Brendon Tunstall set up the score.
“Give them credit for answering our score,” Hinds said. “It’s always a special game when we play Corona.”
Desert Vista, particularly Sokol, had another answer following a 35-yard kickoff return by Battle. Sokol connected on completions of 16 yards to Bolena and 31 yards to Ryne Rezac, setting up 1st-and-goal from the 9.
After a short run, Sokol hit Bolena on an 8-yard slant for the touchdown, giving the Thunder a 17-14 edge with 2:55 remaining.
“(The defensive back) played me on the outside, I gave him an outside juke, then cut it inside and caught the slant,” Bolena said. “Cody was awesome the second half.”
Said Sokol: “(Bolena) always grabs those big plays. He’s a play-maker.”
An interception by Spencer Chase set up the game’s final points, a 21-yard field goal by Hsu with 58.5 seconds left.
The Aztecs managed one first down on their last possession, but with no timeouts they were eventually held on downs at the Desert Vista 40.
“A lot of people probably counted us out (when Kennard) got hurt, but there’s no quit in these guys,” Hinds said. “They’re a tough bunch of kids. They worked hard in the summer. Hopefully we’ll keep it going.”
Kennard, who hasn't missed a practice since his injury, said though watching Friday's game was frustrating, it was also rewarding.
"I'm leading the best way I can and proud of the guys for fighting back and showing a lot of heart," he said. "These guys just know how to rally. They know how to stick together. It's great to be a part of even if I can't contribute on the field."
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
Desert Vista 20, Corona del Sol 14
Desert Vista 0 3 0 17 - 20
Corona del Sol 0 7 0 7 - 14
Second quarter
CDS – Giannonatti 9 run (Kirby Pellant kick), 6:13
DV – FG, Hsu 32, 16.4
Fourth quarter
DV – Wilson 6 run (Hsu kick), 11:15
CDS – Lange 7 run (Pellant kick), 6:49
DV – Bolena 8 pass from Sokol (Hsu kick), 2:55
DV – FG, Hsu 21, 58.5
Team Statistics
Rushes-yards: DV 36-137, CDS 29-157
Passing: DV 12-19-0-165, CDS 7-17-1-114.
Total yards: DV 302, CDS 271
Turnovers: DV 0, CDS 1
Penalties: DV 5-40, CDS 4-35
Individual Statistics
Rushing
DV, Wilson 9-46, Washington 8-38, Battle 5-28, Kereluk 2-8, Sokol 9-7, Caswell 1-6, Pemebroke 1-4, Williams 1-0; CDS, Lange 19-100, Pellant 5-42, Giannonatti 1-9, Cartwright 3-5, Maisel 1-1.
Passing
DV, Sokol 12-19-0-165; CDS, Cartwright 7-17-1-114.
Receiving
DV, Bolena 6-78, Rezac 3-44, Battle 3-43; CDS, Turnstall 4-74, Lange 1-17, Nolan 1-12, Pellant 1-6.
