Penalties, turnovers haunt football in loss to Snow, 59-21
MESA, AZ - In a game marked by numerous penalties and some costly turnovers, the Mesa football team dropped its season opener, 59-21, Saturday in WSFL action at John D. Riggs Stadium.
MCC was victimized by three interceptions, although two came on tipped passes. But a huge number of penalties contributed in a huge way to MCC's downfall.
The game had an inauspicious start for the T-Birds as Snow struck for a TD on its very first play from scrimmage when Alex Kuresa found Alonzo Simpson wide open on a 50-yard score.
After Mesa's first drive stalled, the Badgers quickly made it 14-0 when Kuresa ran in from 30 yards out, one of four rushing touchdowns for the sophomore from Millville, Utah.
But MCC bounced back quickly. The T-Birds drove 78 yards capped by a ten-yard pass from Austin Apodaca (So., Longmont, Colo/Silver Creek H.S.). to Chett Levay (Fr., Tampa, Fla/Sickles H.S.).
Less than two minutes later Ethan Cortazzo, pictured right, (Fr., Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain H.S.) picked up a fumble after an Apodaca pass and scored from 32 yards out to tie the score.
Kuresa then scored on runs of 14 and nine yards and Conner McRae added a 27-yard field goal to put Snow on top at halftime, 31-14.
The Badgers scored first in the second half when Kuresa hit Cody Scott with a three-yard TD pass.
Mesa answered as Apodaca found Dusty Cook (Fr., Gilbert, AZ/Highland H.S.) with a 15-yard strike.
SC then put the game away with three fourth-quarter TDs.
Apodcaca finished 26-48 for 237 yards, while Dewitt Caswell ((Fr., Riverside,Calif/M.L/ King H.S.) paced MCC on the ground with 52 yards on seven carries. Cortazzo hauled in eight passes for 118 yards.
Mesa will go on the road for the first time next Saturday visiting Glendale for a 7:00 p.m. start.
Other WSFL scores:
Glendale 288, Eastern Arizona 0
Pima 36, Phoenix 19
Arizona Western 45, New Mexico Military 10