Leading by just three points at halftime, the ninth-ranked Apollo Hawks used a huge second half to roll past previously unbeaten and 12th-ranked Ironwood, 53-7, Friday night in Glendale. After a sloppy first half by Apollo that included 10 penalties for 80 yards, the Hawks scored on each of their first six second-half possessions, including three scores in less than six minutes in the third quarter. Their final possession ended in the victory formation.

 

Following an interception on Ironwood's opening drive of the second half, Apollo quarterback Jordan Gungl (Jungle) connected with Justin Bishop on a 19-yard touchdown pass that put the Hawks up 17-7. After a quick three-and-out by the Eagles, Abe Mendivil ran 17 yards for a score to increase Apollo's lead to 24-7.

 

Ironwood showed some life on its next drive as Eric Nunez caught a 49-yard pass from Dyllan Leblanc, but fumbled at the Apollo seven yard line after being tackled from behind. The Hawks quickly capitalized as Gungl found Mendivil on a quick slant and the senior wide out went 95 yards for a touchdown to put the game away. Gungl finished 10-of-17 for 265 yards and three TDs for the Hawks, who improved to 3-0 on the season. Mendivil ended with 12 carries for 69 yards and two catches for 105 yards. Marcus Williams returned a fumble for a score and also had one of five sacks for Apollo.

 

The competition gets even tougher next week as the Hawks host the third-ranked Centennial Coyotes, who are also 3-0. It should be a high-scoring affair. Apollo has scored 156 points in three games while Centennial has put up 179 points, which includes a 76-19 rout at La Joya on Friday. The Coyotes beat the Hawks, 40-28, in the first ever meeting between the school's last year in Peoria.

 

Jett Robinson was held to just 56 yards on 15 carries for the Eagles, who fell to 2-1. Ironwood entered the contest with nearly 1,000 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in its first two victories, but were held to just 169 yards. Leblanc was just 4-of-8 for 67 yards and an interception. The Eagles look to bounce back next week at Sunnyslope. The Vikings are just 1-2 on the season following a 41-9 home loss to Chaparral.

 

Thomas Jenkins