Football Recap: Nolan Keeney Key Part of Team Effort in Longhorns Win

Payson won the last time they faced Page and things went their way on Friday too. The Longhorns were the clear victors by a 47-21 margin over the Sand Devils. With the Longhorns ahead 30-6 at the half, the contest was all but over already.

Nolan Keeney

Rushing Yards (Career)

08/29/25 @ Page	57
11/08/24 @ ALA - Ironwood	34
08/22/25 vs Fountain Hills	31
11/01/24 @ Show Low	27
09/06/24 vs Page	27

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Payson to victory, but perhaps none more so than Nolan Keeney, who rushed for 57 yards and a pair of TDs on only six carries, and also threw for 126 yards and two touchdowns on only 11 passes. Those 57 rushing yards gave Keeney a new career-high. Payson also got a significant boost from Bert Scheer, who ran away from the competition to the tune of 89 yards.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Payson was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 200 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Page only rushed for 103 rushing yards.

Payson didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Teagan Lewis, Marco Guereque, and Cadyn Sanchez picked up one apiece. Payson got some further help from Ethan Gurtner: he picked up two sacks and made eight total tackles.

When it comes to explaining why Page lost, don't look at Joseph Benally. Despite the final result, he rushed for 82 yards and one score on only 11 carries, and also threw for 217 yards and one touchdown.

Payson has started the season off flawlessly and has a 2-0 record to show for it. The victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 21 points this season. As for Page, their loss dropped their record down to 1-1.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Payson will take on San Tan Foothills at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. As for Page, they will square off against Show Low at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.