Jayce Ray’s 47-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter proved to be the decisive play in the Sonoma Dragons thrilling 15-12 homecoming victory over the visiting Casa Grande Gauchos Friday night at Arnold Field.
Ray’s run, on a direct snap from center, gave the Dragons the go-ahead score and the Sonoma defense withstood a late Casa rally and a last-second field goal attempt to hang on for the victory.
Nate Rowland looks for yardage
Photos: Ryan Lely
With the win the Dragons improve to 4-1-1 overall and 2-1 in the SCL. Next Friday the Dragons travel to Petaluma. The game will be broadcast live on KSVY 91.3 FM starting at 7:15 p.m.
Jake Powers hands off to Matt Darnell
As time expired Ray, playing the role of all-around hero on the night, blocked Casa Grande’s 49-yard field goal attempt.
As players and fans stormed the field to celebrate the dramatic victory, penalty flags flew in all directions and a lengthy discussion followed regarding the final play. After conferring, the referees determined that the with the field goal try being blocked, but not reaching the end zone, the ball was still live when the celebration began..
Seniors hit the field at Homecoming
The players leaving the bench resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct on Sonoma, a penalty that Casa declined, and the game was over. Bedlam once again ensued as a good portion of the student body gathered at midfield to celebrate the victory.
Casa Grande scored first on a Connor Derby 28-yard field goal. Sonoma answered in the second quarter when junior quarterback Jake Powers hit Nate Rowland from 14 yards out to take a 7-3 lead.
Derby added another field goal before the half to cut the Sonoma lead to 7-6.
The defenses held tough in the second half, with each team’s score coming off a single big play. Anthony Biasi, the Gauchos power back who tallied 228 yards rushing on the night, took a fake reverse 77 yards for a score in the third quarter.
Ray’s winning run came on a play that the Dragons have run rarely, and according to the senior, “It’s a play we’ve run at practice maybe only 10 times.”
