Photos: Empire hangs on to drop visiting Amphi 27-20, high school football
The Panthers can't quite make the comeback late on the Ravens, losing 27-20 in a 4A Gila match-up, Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 6, 2023.
Empire's Carson Justice (1) drags down a pass intended for Amphi's David Silva (4), ending the Panthers’ last chance with one second left and the Ravens up 27-20 in their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's players get loosened up under a fall sky, running thought their pre-game drills and preparing to face Amphi at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire’s Jared Ahuero (9) waits for his onrushing teammates after dragging down a long pass over Amphi’s Miguel Estrada (2) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ 27-20 home win over the Panthers at Empire High School Friday night.
During a matchup last season at Empire High School, Empire’s Ngonkra Fuangunyi (2) slams into Amphi’s Ethan Goodall (10), jarring him enough to send his pass off course in the third quarter of their Oct. 5, 2023, contest.
Empire's Jordan Naveunxay (6) celebrates with teammate Ben Mazzei (8) after pulling down a catch in the back of the end zone in the second quarter of their game against Amphi at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Luke Lambert (5) strips Amphi's Malique Maro (5) fo the ball just short of the goal line in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023. The Panthers recovered the fumble and eventually pushed over for a score.
Amphi's Miguel Estrada (2) makes a touchdown saving tackle on Empire's Jared Ahuero (9), dropping him inside the five in the first quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi's Anthony Anqui (3) can’t tiptoe around the hit of Empire's Carson Justice (1) on a carry at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi’s Riley Robinson (11) hangs on to drop Empire's Jared Ahuero (9) for a sack in the first quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi's Malique Maro (5) gets hauled down by the duo of Empire's Ben Mazzei (8), bottom, and Manga Eselle (4) in the second quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi's Imanol Silva (10) gets off the pass over the pressure of Empire's Jordan Naveunxay (6) in their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Carson Justice (1) out jumps teammate Nikolas Bejarano (11) for an interception in the second quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Kienan Parker (22), left, and Amphi’s Rudy Rios (14) collide on Parker’s second quarter carry at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi’s Sekou Williams (23) gets his fingers in the face mask of Empire's Carson Justice (1) after his catch in the second quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi's Malique Maro (5) manages to do enough to keep Empire's Jared Ahuero (9) from a catch in the end zone in the quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi's David Silva (4) slips by Empire's Manga Eselle (4) to get to the throw over the middle in the third quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Kienan Parker (22) rumbles through Amphi’s Rudy Rios (14), left, and Arif Lyt-Watson (20) on a sweep in the third quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Jordan Naveunxay (6) dives in to make the shoestring tackle for a sack on Amphi's Imanol Silva (10) in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi's Imanol Silva (10) gets off the pass in the grip of Empire's Jordan Naveunxay (6) in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Jared Ahuero (9) grabs the Amphi onside kick late in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi’s Rudy Rios (14) can’t quite get out of the hands of Empire's Jared Ahuero (9) after hauling in a deflected pass in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
During a matchup last season at Empire High School, Empire’s Ngonkra Fuangunyi (2) forces his way out the reach of Amphi’s DeAngelo Mendoza (13) during the teams’ Oct. 5, 2023, contest.
Amphi's David Silva (4) gets to the pass before Empire's Manga Eselle (4) in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi’s Riley Robinson (11), left, and Rudy Rios (14) celebrate Rios’ catch-and-run for a score late at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's Ben Mazzei (8) tries to tug down Amphi's Anthony Anqui (3) on a run at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Empire's head coach George Kelly works with his Ravens running drills before facing Amphi at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Amphi’s head coach Jorge Mendivil gives Amphi's Imanol Silva (10) his play in the third quarter at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
A couple of early fans watch the pre-game drills before the Amphi/Empire game at Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 5, 2023.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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