Coconino High School earned its first win of the season in dominant fashion, defeating Washington 61-0 after scoring 34 points in the first quarter.

The Panthers enetered the matchup 0-2 after losses to Snowflake and St. Mary's, but head coach Joshua Clouse said the team used those games as opportunities to improve.

"We're either winning or we're learning," Clouse said. 

The Panthers wasted little time taking control.

Coconino opened the scoring with 7:31 remaining in the first quarter when running back Jovani Quiroz scored on a 6-yard run, giving the Panthers a 6-0 lead.

The defense quickly gave the offense another opportunity. Austin Raths intercepted a Washington pass, and quarterback Max Hobson later finished the possesion with a rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 13-0 with 4:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Coconino's defense then got on the scoreboard itself. Washington fumbled in its own end zone, and the Panthers recovered the ball for a touchdown to make it 20-0.

Quiroz helped move the Panthers downfield on their next possession before Raths broke free for a 26-yard touchdown run. The score extended Coconino's lead to 27-0 with 24 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

The turnovers continued to pile up for Washington. Easton Quiroz recovered another fumble, setting up a touchdown pass from Hobson to Raths that gave Coconino a 34-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Washington's offensive struggles continued early in the second quarter when Austin Clouse intercepted a pass. Coconino capitalized on the turnover when John Jamison was found wide open for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 41-0 with 10:58 remaining in the half.

Coconino continued to rely on its ground game. Jaime Herrera scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 6:16 remaining in the second quarter before Dryan Larsen added a 22-yard rushing touchdown later in the period.

The Panthers entered halftime with a 54-0 lead.

With the game already firmly in Coconino's control, Clouse said the large advantage made it difficult to work on parts of the offense that still need improvement.

"It is tough because we don't want to just go pour it on," Clouse said. "Our passing game needs some work, and we got off fast, so we didn't think we could really just chuck the ball around after we had that lead."

A running clock shortened the second half and gave Coconino an opportunity to get more of its roster into the game.

Benjamin Milios provided the Panthers' final score, running through defenders for a 6-yard touchdown with 7:28 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Clouse said giving younger players such as Milios meaningful playing time is important because of the work they put in throughout the week.

"Everyone comes down, puts in effort all day long, all week long," Clouse said. "When we have the opportunity to get some of those guys in, we're going to do that."

Coconino's defense completed the shutout after forcing several turnovers and keeping Washington out of the end zone for the entire game.

Despite the lopsided result, Clouse said the Panthers still have areas to improve as they move forward.

"We know we're a good team," Clouse said. "Trying to get that first win of the season and away we go."

Coconino will travel to Mohave on Friday, Sept. 18, looking to build on its first victory of the season.