The undefeated Cienega Bobcats, ranked No. 1 in the 5A state playoff bracket, took on another unbeaten in No. 4 Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep in the semifinals on Friday. Led by Arizona quarterback commit Jamarye Joiner, the Bobcats had championship aspirations eyeing the first state title in school history. Only the Saints stood in their way.
The Star was live at Mountain View High School to see what Cienega and Notre Dame Prep had in store. Check out how all the action played out:
#Cienega is on the field and ready to go before tonight’s semifinal matchup #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/53mtkiGbT1
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
#NotreDamePrep RB Jake Smith almost takes this to the house, but steps out of bounds. First down for Saints near mid-field. #azhsfb #NDPvsCIE pic.twitter.com/f6NcQSXxU1
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Jamarye Joiner making something out of nothing. #NDPvsCIE #azhsfb pic.twitter.com/savXLt7jTG
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Just one play after dropping a sure fire TD pass, WR Terrell Hayward hauls in the first score of the game on a 30 yard pass from QB Jamarye Joiner. #Cienega leads 7-0 with 7:54 left in the 1st quarter #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/pLAJZehL2j
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
#NotreDame WR Blake Storey hauls in the acrobatic 21 yard touchdown with 10:01 left in the 2nd quarter to cut the #Cienega lead to 14-7 #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/snCGbSLvtd
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
On the ensuing kickoff, #Cienega tries to trick the Saints and the toss goes awry. #NotreDamePrep picks up the fumble and scores the game-tying touchdown with 9:51 left in the 2nd quarter #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/B9SM4vubE9
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Bobcat WR Terrell Hayward runs the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to the house. #Cienega leads 27-17 with 18.8 seconds left in the half #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/P4dXVnYe5v
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
#NotreDamePrep takes a 30-27 lead over #Cienega on this 25 yard touchdown from RB Cole Fisher with 1:14 left in the 3rd quarter #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/19dWVb5B5e
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Joiner puts the #NotreDame defense in a spin cycle and the Bobcats within the red zone with 8:59 left to play #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/TVTYqqgIaH
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
#Cienega grabs on 34-30 lead on this 12 yard touchdown with 8:08 left to play #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/7Lqnyp606u
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
The gamble pays off for the Saints as Fisher runs in the 3 yard touchdown for his third rushing score of the game. #NotreDame leads 37-34 with 3:44 left to play #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/ZbCmWAiPs4
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
#NotreDame comes up huge with an interception on Joiner’s throw. Saints take over on their 43 yard line with 1:53 left and a 37-34 lead #NDPvsCIE #azhs pic.twitter.com/lagUeBTpCa
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Cienega junior Terrell Hayward talked about what went wrong in the Bobcats' semifinal loss, and how they plan to bounce back in 2018.
#Cienega junior Terrell Hayward on how much the semifinals loss to #NotreDamePrep hurts and what to look forward to in 2018: #azhsfb pic.twitter.com/o2iHlqR7di
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Coach Pat Nugent talks Cienega's last play and Joiner's legacy in Tucson. Plus, what the future holds for Bobcats football.
#Cienega head coach Pat Nugent on how the Bobcats fell short to #NotreDamePrep and Jamarye Joiner’s legacy: #azhsfb pic.twitter.com/2Um23ruHK4
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
🏈 No. 1 seed Cienega in a tight matchup with No. 4 Notre Dame Prep in the 5A semifinals. #NDPvsCIE #azhsfb https://t.co/Uvfy4LSX5b
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) November 18, 2017
Sports producer
Tucson Cienega High School falls 37-34 to Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep Academy in the Arizona 5A State football semifinal championship game at M…
Tucson Salpointe Catholic battles Peoria Sunrise Mountain in Arizona 4A State semifinal football championship game at Glendale Ironwood High S…
Bobcats suffer first loss of year in semifinals for second straight season.
No. 4 Salpointe Catholic invades Phoenix on Friday night to battle top-seeded Sunrise Mountain at Ironwood High School in Glendale for the 4A …
Top-seeded Cienega is in the state semifinals and will play No. 4 Notre Dame Prep with hopes to punch the state championship ticket for the fi…
Top-seeded Cienega takes on No. 4 Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep this Friday for the 5A state semifinals at Mountain View High School.
Christian Fetsis began his sophomore season as Pusch Ridge Christian’s starting quarterback.
Team rallies from early 14-point deficit to earn bid in Dec. 2 state championship game at Arizona Stadium.
Star sports columnist Greg Hansen offers his opinion on recent sports news.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
