Aggies get revenge, rout Legacy in playoff opener

Arbor View's football team had plenty of incentive Friday night.

In their Sunset Region playoff opener, the Aggies were facing rival Legacy, a team to which it lost earlier this season.

The Aggies got revenge, rolling to a 40-0 home win over the Longhorns.

"We had a statement to make," said running back Jacob Speaks, who ran for 76 yards, hauled in a 38-yard touchdown pass and had an interception. “Everybody doubted us. They barely came to the game, so we had to prove a point. We already had a chip on our shoulder from the last game (against Legacy), and that’s what really gave us that fire…We’re a unit. We always keep it as one.”

Legacy was a 7-0 winner over Arbor View on Sept. 26, gaining 215 yards in the win.

Friday night was a start difference. Arbor View outgained Legacy by 419 yards, including holding the Longhorns to minus-11 total yards in the second half.

Mistakes cost Arbor View in the first game, and it almost looked like the rematch would be headed in the same direction when the Aggies fumbled on the first offensive play of the game.

Arbor View’s defense forced a quick three-and-out on Legacy’s first possession, and then went to work offensively. They scored on their next possession, following Anthony Smith’s 64-yard run and a Legacy sideline interference penalty, which put Arbor View deep in Longhorn territory. Smith punched it in from three yards out at the 7:22 mark of the first quarter, and Zach Boyd added the extra point to give Arbor View a 7-0 lead.

The teams exchanged possessions three more times, before Arbor View finally moved the ball downfield using five different rushers and 10 plays. The Aggies extended their lead to 14-0, after junior Herman Gray scored from one yard out and Boyd converted once again.

Devon Turner rushed for 109 yards, and Smith finished with 81 yards rushing and a touchdown on eight carries. Gray ran 12 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns.

“The backs can run when the linemen are blocking,” Arbor View coach Dan Barnson said. “And when you have our best kids up front playing again, it makes a huge difference.”

Ahead 21-0, Turner ignored the shoulder he injured last week against Palo Verde, and capped an 11-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run with 5:03 left in the third quarter. He put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter with a 41-yard touchdown scamper.

“There was no way I was letting my senior season end, especially on my home field,” Turner said. “There was no way. Whether my shoulder hurt or not, I’ve got to play for family. This is my squad and I’m going go out there and do everything I can for them.”

The Aggies will play at Bishop Gorman (10-2) in the semifinals next Friday.