Come Friday night, theres going to be a catfight east of 做厙勛圖. And its a cant-miss.
The Cienega Bobcats beat the Marana Tigers twice last season the first time in the season opener and then in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. The Tigers attempted a late-game comeback in the postseason showdown, but fell just short, 38-35.
The Bobcats were later eliminated in the semifinals.
Marana is sure to be hungry for a win to avenge last seasons letdowns. But Cienega wide receiver Terrell Hayward isnt too worried.
They have a good program over there and a good (quarterback) he knows what hes doing, Hayward said, referring to Tigers star Trenton Bourguet. We have to go out there and know that if we stop him, stop their offense, we know well come out on top.
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With the way both teams have played each time theyve met on the gridiron the last few years, Cienega has come to regard Marana as a rival of sorts.
Cienega senior running back Thomas Webb said the games are very competitive and provide a fun atmosphere. And when youre playing one of the best programs in Southern Arizona, you have to be on top of your game, Webb said.
Thats what we try to do we try to minimize errors, try to pay attention to details during practice and just have a great week of preparation, Webb said. Let the game and hard work do the talking.
Webb feels this years team in more fundamentally sound, especially on defense. There were moments last season when some players didnt know what they were doing on certain plays.
Bourguet gives the Tigers a chance in every game. Through six games this year, the senior has completed 98 of 138 passes for 1,389 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hes thrown four interceptions. Bourguet threw for a career-high 477 yards and five touchdowns the first time Marana and Cienega met last season, and added 282 yards and two scores in the playoff game.
I feel like this year were going to have some little mixes in the game plan to be able to stop him, Webb said. And I feel like, overall, our line is more mature this year. I feel like theyre more assignment sound and know what theyre doing.
I feel like this year were a better overall team and this year were going to get it done like the past two years.
Even if Marana throws a wrench into Cienegas plans, the Bobcats have a one-up the Tigers dont: home-field advantage. And Cienega hasnt lost a home game since 2015.
It would actually be a big advantage for us because weve got our home crowd out here, Hayward said. We know what its like on our field and we know what kind of atmosphere it is. Every time we come on this field, were expecting to win.
Contact reporter Norma Gonzalez at 520-262-3265 or ngonzalez@tucson.com.
Norma Gonzalez
Sports reporter
