John Kuziej is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Brophy for AZPreps365.com

In a big rivalry game, the Brophy Broncos turned in a solid performance on both sides of the ball against the St. Mary’s Knights on Thursday. An all-around performance from junior quarterback Charlie McGinnis, who had three passing touchdowns and one rushing score, lifted the Broncos to a 35-7 win and their first victory of the season.

“I think I could be a dual threat,” McGinnis said. “I was talking with the running backs coach and I got to get better at that. Teach me how to run. Throwing the ball. Running the ball. It gives the defense a hard time. I know how important dual threats can be so if I can be one of those that would help us out so much.”

McGinnis had his biggest scramble of 19 yards pick up an important third-and-16. That helped extend Brophy’s second TD drive that went 75-yards on 14 plays, taking 8:40 off the clock. The drive was capped off by a well-executed backside screen from McGinnis to senior running back David Lopez for the 16-yard score to put the Broncos up 14-0.

“David’s going to get a lot of touches,.” Broncos coach Jason Jewell said. “He's like a Swiss army knife. He catches the ball well.”

Following the long drive, the Broncos' defense came out and forced a three-and-out, stopping three straight runs.

“Well, we knew they were going to run the ball,.” Broncos defensive coordinator Kevin Scott said. “And the way we have been playing defense the last couple of weeks we have been focusing on stopping the run. So we figure if we could stop the run and get some pressure to the weak side, because they like to run to the weak side, then we should be OK.”

The offense then had a short field to work with, starting at the Knights’ 26-yard line. Just four plays later the Broncos were in the end zone again. McGinnis connected with senior wide receiver Layton Duncan from 2 yards out to extend the advantage to 21-0 with 4:23 remaining in the first half.

After getting the ball back with 2:30 left until halftime, the Broncos drove down the field again. A 65-yard drive was culminated with a 32-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Jude Almaraz, giving Brophy a 28-0 halftime lead.

The Knights were able to pick up their first, first down of the game to start the second half but eventually punted the ball back to the Broncos. 

The Broncos once again struck quickly with a 22-yard run from Lopez, setting up the Broncos at the Knights’ 5-yard line. McGinnis took it himself for his fourth score and put the Broncos up 35-0.

“He (McGinnis) is progressing and we need him to continue to progress,” Jewell said. “As our schedule gets brutal here the rest of the way.”

The Broncos offensive line was able to protect McGinnis most of the game, only giving up one sack.

“Giving up one sack that’s great,” Jewell said. “But last year we gave up only 10 sacks in 12 games. Right now we have given up seven in three. So we need to continue to protect the quarterback. We have all five new starting offensive linemen so we have to continue to grow there.”

Brophy (1-2) will host Highland (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. St. Mary’s (1-1) will play at Northwest Christian (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.