SHOW LOW, AZ — The Thatcher Eagles secured a convincing 42-16 victory over Show Low on Friday night, riding a strong second-quarter offensive outburst and solid defensive play to keep the Cougars at bay.
The Eagles struck first, as quarterback Chad Johnson connected with Wyatt Nicholas on a 53-yard touchdown pass just a minute into the first quarter.
Show Low responded with a 20-yard field goal from Calvin Morgan midway through the first quarter to cut the deficit to 7-3. Minutes later, the Cougars took advantage of a blocked punt, with Dane Roosma scooping up the loose ball and returning it 51 yards for a touchdown, putting Show Low up 10-7.
However, Thatcher took control of the game in the second quarter. Will Chidester’s 15-yard rushing touchdown with nine minutes left in the half gave Thatcher a 14-10 lead, which they never relinquished. Kody Bingham then electrified the Eagles’ sideline with an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown, pushing Thatcher’s lead to 21-10.
As the first half wound down, Chad Johnson and Wyatt Nicholas connected for their second touchdown of the night—a 58-yard bomb that extended Thatcher’s lead to 28-10 heading into the locker room.
Show Low managed to cut into Thatcher’s lead early in the third quarter, with Ben Freund finding Chris Yorksmith for a 15-yard touchdown pass. However, a missed extra point left the score at 28-16.
Thatcher’s defense buckled down from there, shutting out Show Low for the remainder of the game. In the fourth quarter, Kody Bingham added a 44-yard rushing touchdown, and Smith Mangum capped the scoring with a 6-yard run in the final minute to put the game out of reach.
Thatcher improves to 5-1 on the season and Show Low falls to 1-5.
Scoring Summary:
- Q1:
- Thatcher: Chad Johnson 53-yard TD pass to Wyatt Nicholas (PAT good)
- Show Low: Calvin Morgan 20-yard field goal
- Show Low: Dane Roosma 51-yard blocked punt return for a TD (PAT good)
- Q2:
- Thatcher: Will Chidester 15-yard rushing TD (PAT good)
- Thatcher: Kody Bingham 80-yard punt return for a TD (PAT good)
- Thatcher: Chad Johnson 58-yard TD pass to Wyatt Nicholas (PAT good)
- Q3:
- Show Low: Ben Freund 15-yard TD pass to Chris Yorksmith (PAT missed)
- Q4:
- Thatcher: Kody Bingham 44-yard rushing TD (PAT good)
- Thatcher: Smith Mangum 6-yard rushing TD (PAT good)
