Football: McClintock methodically puts away Tempe
September 6, 2019 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365
McClintock returned to the winning side of the longest rivarly in Tempe city football history last season. The Chargers have a streak of their own going in the rivalry after Friday's 31-0 win over the Buffaloes at Jim Lyons Stadium.
That second consecutive win for McClintock came on a night McClintock honored the 30-year anniversary of its last state championship team -- the 1989 Chargers coached by legendary mentor Karl Kiefer. McClintock won the 5A title that season. Not to be forgotten Tempe HIgh also was a state champ in 1989 - albeit co-champion in 4A after it tied Agua Fria in the final.
Prior to McClintock's back-to-back wins in the series, Tempe had won the previous four meetings. And before that McClintock owned the rivalry with seven consecutive triumphs. McClintock coach Corbin Smith lauded his team for a sound performance in raising its record on the season to 2-1.
"They did what we asked them to do," Smith said, particularly of the defense. We told them this week they would try to run it down our throat. They are big and they had success running it last week. It was about bending and not breaking. That's how we played on defense. We ask them to trust the process, and that's what they did this week."
Tempe rushed for 129 yards in the first half, but only 136 for the game. McClintock's bend don't break took place in the first half; its defense dominated in the second half. Tempe managed just 72 yards through the air
Tempe (1-1) ran the ball effectively to start the game, marching to the red zone behind the running of Isikeli Fakava. The Chargers buckled down out stalled the drive on downs. Their offense proceeded to march 79 yards in 13 plays missing the run and pass effectively. McClintock scored fo a 7-0 lead on a 14-yard pass from quarterback Xavier Benitez to senior slot back Estevan Fraijo with 4:06 left in the opening period.
Benitez, a senior beginning his second season as the Chargers' starter behind center, enjoyed a solid game passing. He completed 13 of 16 passes in the first half for 170 yards. His favorite targets were Fraijo and fellow senior wide out Bryce Tate. Tate finished the night with 10 catches for 116 yards. Fraijoi added nine receptions for 108 yards and a TD. Benitez's final total was 27 of 34 for 284 yards and two TDs. No interceptions.
McClintock used an interception by Tate midway through the second period to gain field position at Tempe's 47. Running back Jaden Mason finished off the short drive with a 5-yard TD run to make it 14-0. That was the tally at intermission.
Benitez scored on a 1-yard sneak and threw a 7-yard TD to Jacob Torres a few seconds before the third period ended to make it 28-0 Chargers. McClintock's final tally was a 37-yard field goal with 3:49 to play from Felipe Sanchez.
"Our passing game was sharp, but we need to run the ball better," Smith said as his lone critique of his team. McClintock rushed for only 67 yards on 26 attempts. On this night getting 10-yards per pass offset the need for a strong rushing game.
Tempe junior running back Jabree Richardson, who rushed for 213 yards in the Buffaloes win over Apache Junction last week, finished as the leading rusher again. It was a more modest total -- 12 carries fo 93 yards.
McClintock hits the road to face Central High next Friday while Tempe High gets a home game against Flagstaff.