Story By Jordan Spurgeon
In a battle between two 4-1 teams, the Glendale Cardinals came out on top of the St. Mary’s Knights 45-27 to clinch the 4A Skyline Division.
It all started with an 80 yard touchdown from quarterback Rocco Bruney to Colby Deroiser on the first play from scrimmage.
First play of the game, @GlendaleFootbal gets on the board
They lead 7-0 with 11:42 left in 1st. @Sports360AZ #FridayNight360AZ pic.twitter.com/ThVkwjMzVZ
— Jordan Spurgeon (@spurge_) November 7, 2020
“We knew we had to set the tone,” Bruney said after the game. “We knew this team is a wing-t team so we know if we scored touchdowns fast they wouldn’t be able to keep up with us.”
Bruney finished the game with over 150 passing yards and 80 plus rushing yards. He also scored five total touchdowns.
The play of the night came in the first quarter, when Bruney found Jaquel Bell in the back of the end zone for a “Moss” catch over two defenders.
Someone say Moss? @GlendaleFootbal up 13-0 after the missed PAT
6:19 left in 1st. @Sports360AZ #FridayNight360AZ pic.twitter.com/soW62pJ9Wz
— Jordan Spurgeon (@spurge_) November 7, 2020
“Rocco just trusted me,” Bell said about that catch. “That’s the first rule, catch every ball and make your quarterback look good.”
The Knights only mustered seven points in the first half, but its offense moved the ball effectively in the second half, scoring 20 points.
St. Mary’s keeps fighting with this long TD run
They now trail @GlendaleFootbal 39-14 with 2:30 left in Q3 @Sports360AZ #FridayNight360AZ pic.twitter.com/u3D8T3lbaD
— Jordan Spurgeon (@spurge_) November 7, 2020
Defensively, the Knights were physical, with plenty of big hits on Bruney and the wide receivers. They just couldn’t contain the run-pass-option consistently.
“They’re a really good team,” Bruney said. “Shoutout to them, this was a really good game.”
Next week, Glendale will close the regular season with a matchup against Washington High School. St. Mary’s will play Shadow Mountain.