SAFFORD — Thatcher wasted little time setting the tone Thursday night.
On the Eagles’ second offensive play of the game, Tufden Taylor broke loose for a 76-yard touchdown run, and Thatcher went on to defeat rival Safford 42-7 to keep possession of the Open Loop Energy Territorial Trophy.
Taylor finished with 180 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries, leading a Thatcher rushing attack that piled up 484 yards on the ground.
Safford answered Thatcher’s quick start after recovering an Eagle fumble. Quarterback Parker Whisman connected with Matteo Chavez for an 8-yard touchdown with 6:37 left in the first quarter, and the extra point tied the game at 7.
That would be the Bulldogs’ only score of the night.
Thatcher regained the lead with 4:39 remaining in the second quarter when Taylor scored from 13 yards out. Willie Dunklin added an 11-yard touchdown run with two minutes left in the half, giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead at the break.
Taylor continued his big night in the third quarter, breaking free for a 44-yard touchdown with 8:07 remaining before scoring again from 15 yards out with 3:10 left in the period.
Ryker Romero capped the scoring with a 60-yard touchdown run with 8:47 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Kase Palmer added 90 yards passing for Thatcher, while Safford was held to 149 yards of total offense.
“We are excited to keep the trophy at home and we responded well to challenges after a loss last week,” Thatcher head coach Dan Jones said. “Tuf had a great game and our line is playing better. I think we are on the upswing.”
The victory improves Thatcher to 4-2 on the season and extends the Eagles’ winning streak over Safford to 11 straight games. Safford falls to 3-3.
