Flagstaff, AZ — https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/arizonavarsity-breakdown-cibola-19-havasu-17 Ralph Amsden • ArizonaVarsity.com I was able to see a great game between 6A Yuma Cibola and 4A Lake Havasu last Saturday in the NAU Skydome last Saturday, as what looked like an early blowout turned into an absolute slugfest that came down to a thrilling ending. Here are my notes and observations from Cibola's 19-17 win over Havasu on 8/25/18. Standout Players 2019 ATH Adam Raney (5-11, 220) Adam Raney got a few sideline chuckles when the stout, 5-11, 220-pound punter walked out onto the field for the Raiders- but the chuckles stopped when he boomed a 44-yarder with his left foot, surprising Havasu and causing their returner to have to backpedal and ultimately muff the punt. He also showed himself to be quite the nimble tight end, and had a productive day on the defensive line as well. 2019 QB Ethan Arvizo (6-0, 170) Talk about guts. After a rough first half and an early interception, Ethan Arvizo settled down and led his team on several crucial drives. He had a fourth down QB sneak for Cibola's only first half score, and when he had a second half TD pass was negated due to a penalty, he came back on the ensuing drive to throw for a score, and then later connected on what would be the game winning TD pass on 4th down. 2020 RB Zeke Rios (5-7, 170) Zeke Rios had a good day overall, totaling 187 yards of total offense- but had Cibola lost- he'd have been remembered for fumbling the ball away when the Raiders were trying to run the clock out late in the game. Fortunately for Rios, the defense gave him a second shot at running down the clock, and he broke free for a long run to ice the game. The Good The best thing about this game is that it was good! I went to three games in week one, and this was my fourth of week two, and it was the first that wasn't a blowout. I really liked Cibola's patience and poise considering how much they were pushed around in the first half. I'm not sure that with the new rules in place they'll even have an opportunity to make a playoff run in 2018, but this could definitely be a team that provides fro some great contests throughout the regular season. Quotable "How are either of these teams still standing?" - An NAU field worker in the 4th quarter, who made note of the fact that Havasu was playing 6,500 feet above the elevation they drove in from, and Cibola was playing 6,850 feet above what they're used to. Moving Forward Cibola (1-1) gets an interstate home game against Southwest El Centro (0-1) on 8/31 Havasu (1-1) travels to rival Mohave (1-0) on 8/31