Sierra Vista stays patient, outlasts Desert Oasis in Railroad Rivalry

On one hand, Sierra Vista coach John Foss watched helplessly as his offense was held to just 43 first-half yards Friday night. On the other, his defense held Desert Oasis to 33 yards.

Foss knew to be patient with his team, and that patience paid off as Bryan Lagrange rushed 19 times for 78 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown to lead the Mountain Lions to a 14-7 home victory over the Diamondbacks in the Railroad Rivalry game.

Lagrange capped a 12-play drive with a 5-yard sweep into the left corner for the go-ahead score with 1 minute, 35 seconds remaining.

That was in contrast to the Mountain Lions’ first half, in which they managed just two first downs.

“At times, we have to depend on our defense,” Foss said. “Our offense tends to get better as the game goes on. Our running game takes effect in the later stages of the game.”

That formula held true, as Sierra Vista never threatened in the first half.

Desert Oasis, which blew several scoring opportunities, was the only team to get close to scoring in the first half. A short punt and good field position allowed the Diamondbacks to move the ball to the Mountain Lions’ 9-yard line midway through the second quarter, but the drive ended on a failed fourth-down conversion, and the teams took a scoreless tie into halftime.

The second half took on a different complexion when the Diamondbacks fumbled the opening kick. Sierra Vista recovered at the 5-yard line and pushed it the end zone three plays later on an Oscar Aliaga keeper to go ahead, 7-0.

Desert Oasis answered five minutes later, when Jaden Mitchell connected with Qwory Huff on a 71-yard TD pass to tie it with 5:17 remaining in the third.

The Diamondbacks appeared ready to go ahead early in the fourth after blocking a punt and moving the ball to the Sierra Vista 10-yard line in eight plays. But a fumbled snap gave Sierra Vista another chance.

“The defense has kind of really risen to the occasion,” Foss said. “We have a tight group and a lot of senior leadership.”

The Mountain Lions made the most of their opportunity, burning the clock with a 12-play drive that led to Lagrange’s winning score.

Foss said he was not surprised by his team’s 7-0, 4-0 Southwest start.

“We knew before the season started that we had a good group of kids,” he said. “They’ve been working hard. That was our expectation, but to actually do it is pretty gratifying.”

Mitchell completed 5 of 8 passes for 108 yards to lead the Diamondbacks (1-5, 1-2).