Wildcats Earn Semifinal Berth With Win Over Valley Union

By Greg Perkins
   One mark of a good team is the ability to win games without giving their best performance, which is what Joseph City’s Wildcats did last Friday night in the second round of the 1A state playoffs with their 20-18 win over visiting Valley Union.
   The Blue Devils opened the scoring in the first period with a five-yard touchdown pass from Cody Essary to Saul Mancinas, but the point after failed, putting the Wildcats down 6-0, which is a place they haven’t been too familiar with. Zack Baldwin tied the game, capping a nine-play drive with a 10-yard run. The Wildcats’ conversion attempt also failed, sending the game to the second period knotted at 6-6.
   After the teams traded series, the Wildcats took their first lead of the game with a Baldwin run of five yards ending a five play drive and putting the home team on top 12-6. The Blue Devils came right back with a big scoring play on a 46-yard pass from Essary to Randy Landwerlins to once again tie the game at 12-12.
   Stephen Solomon then answered Valley Union’s big play with one of his own, scoring on a 50-yard touchdown run. This time Baldwin’s two-point run was good and the Wildcats went on top 20-12 at the half.
   Both teams struggled to move the ball in the scoreless third period, but Valley Union pulled within two points early in the fourth on a one-yard plunge by Essary. The conversion attempt failed, leaving Joseph City on top 20-18. Joseph City moved the ball down to Valley Union’s 13 yard line before turning it over on downs, but was able to hold off a late charge by the Blue Devils and secure a berth in the semifinal round this week.
   “This was a very slow, grind it out game. I’m just happy to move on to the next round. We had chances to blow the game open, but didn’t capitalize on those opportunities. We are a good team. We didn’t play well, but still did what we needed to do to win the game. I think we will play better from here on out. We will not overlook Orme,” said Coach John Bryant.
   Valley Union racked up 22 first downs compared to just 12 by Joseph City, and outgained the Cats with 331 yards of total offense to just 233 for Joseph City.
   The Wildcats were led in rushing by Solomon, who gained 101 yards on 12 carries. Baldwin rushed 17 times for 94 yards and Tracy Poudrier carried six times for 14 yards.
   Poudrier completed just one of six pass attempts to Zach Miller good for 21 yards.
Valley Union 6    6 0   6 18
Joseph City   6   14 0   0 20
   Joseph City will now face Orme at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Apache Junction High School. Orme is the number two seed from the West, and is coming off an upset win over Duncan, the top seed from the East, last week by a final score of 48-20. Mogollon will face off with West No. 1 Bagdad at 7 p.m. on Saturday, also at Apache Junction. The winners of those games will meet for the championship at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Apache Junction.