Up by one point with just over two minutes remaining in Friday's game against Palo Verde, Sahuarita coach David Rodriguez had a choice to make; punt on fourth-and-five on the Titans 34-yard-line, or go for it.
A year ago, this type of scenario rarely came up, if ever, as the Mustangs finished with an 0-10 record. Rodriguez's decision and Friday's outcome proved this season has been much different for Sahuarita's football program.
Forgoing the safe play, Rodriguez decided to go for the win, and his players came through. Quarterback Joshua Lee found Aric Howard for a 34-yard touchdown pass, putting the finishing touches on a 28-20 road win over Palo Verde. More importantly, it moved the Mustangs to 6-2 and closer to a berth in the Division III state playoffs.
"I was like, 'Coach is going big,' " said Lee upon hearing the play call. "He puts the ball in my hands and trusts me.
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"I told Aric we need a big play. The line held up and gave me time to hit him with the pass."
It was the second big play of the quarter for Howard.
After Palo Verde took a 20-14 lead with seven minutes remaining, the junior returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and a 21-20 lead.
Lee said big plays have become a habit of Howard's.
"Aric is a play-maker," Lee said. "Always has been and always will be."
Coming off a one-point win over Amphitheater last week, Sahuarita had several opportunities to put Friday's game away early. Palo Verde turned the ball over three times in the first half, but the Mustangs failed to take advantage.
The game was tied at 7 after each team's first drive, but it wasn't until less than a minute remained in the first half that Sahuarita grabbed the lead.
Lee threw a lateral to Joey Howard who found Tanner Fanning racing down the sideline for an 82-yard touchdown pass.
"We're finding reasons and ways to win," Rodriguez said.
After a winless 2010 campaign, this is a new concept for the Mustangs, but, according to Lee, it's been pretty exciting.
"It feels great," he said. "I started at quarterback last year, but it's been a lot better this year. In the beginning I knew we were going to be good, but 0-10 to 6-2? That's a huge turnaround."
Get more coverage of Friday's games and extra photos in our galleries at: azstarnet.com
