DeShawn Jones (#29) hauls in a long pass for a 79 yard touchdown reception in the 42-7 win over Glendale.
DeShawn Jones (#29) hauls in a long pass for a 79 yard touchdown reception in the 42-7 win over Glendale.

Dominance From Beginning to End for Mesa Against Glendale in 42-7 Victory

Mesa, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds wanted to show the nation that last weeks victory over the #1 team in the country wasn't just a fluke.  They proved Saturday night against the Glendale Gauchos that they are a team to be reckoned with as they routed Glendale, 42-7.

Rathen Ricedorff, coming off his national offensive player of the week honors, starting the scoring for Mesa in the 1st quarter as he scrambled up the middle and dove over a pile of Gaucho players into the endzone for a 17 yard touchdown run.  

In the second quarter, it was more Ricedorff but this time it was through the air, as he connected for three touchdown passes, going for 10, 41 and 79 yards.  Wideout DeShawn Jones had a huge game receiving, catching three passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.  His longest was a 79 yarder down the left sideline that he out ran three Gaucho defenders to score.

Ricedorff on the night finished 29-40 for 453 yards with five total touchdowns, one on the ground and four through the air.

Mesa's defense once again showed how dominate they are, as they forced four turnovers, two through interceptions and two from fumble recoveries.  Both interceptions happened in the third quarter, the first came from safety JT Nettleton then the other was by DJ Townsend.

This was a non conference game for the T-Birds which brings their overall record to 3-1 but are still 2-0 in the Western States Football League. 

Mesa will again be home next Saturday to face the Scottsdale Artichokes at 7 p.m.