Nelson scores four TDs in Chaparral win

Richard Nelson rushed for 155 yards and had four total touchdowns Friday to lead host Chaparral over Sunrise Mountain, 35-14.

Nelson, a senior, opened the scoring on the first play from scrimmage, breaking an 80-yard touchdown run to put the Cowboys (2-1, 1-0 Sunrise League) ahead 7-0.

A 10-yard touchdown run by Antwain Allen and an 80-yard interception return from Nelson put Chaparral ahead 21-0 at the half, and the Cowboys never looked back.

"Definitely a breakout game," Nelson said of his performance Friday. "I thought we played well on defense, especially."

Stephen Wright threw for 172 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for Sunrise Mountain (2-1, 0-1). Trayvon Ward had 12 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown for the Miners.

Chaparral opened scoring in the second half when Nelson took a screen pass from Cowboys quarterback Andrew Solis 40 yards to make the score 28-0.

The Miners responded on the next drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Ward. Dante Calahan intercepted Solis on the next drive, and the Miners were again in position to score midway through the third quarter.

But a dropped pass from receiver Dalton Pytrysson stalled the ensuing drive for Sunrise Mountain, eventually leading to a 68-yard Nelson touchdown run.

"He's a big part of our puzzle on both sides of the ball," Chaparral coach Paul Nihipali said of Nelson. "He's really stepped up and matured this season."

Solis finished 11 of 16 for 144 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception.