There’s no place like home for Rincon/University High.
After opponents outscored the Rangers 83-20 in back-to-back road losses, Rincon beat Casa Grande 34-12 on Friday, improving to 3-0 at home.
The Rangers (3-2) managed just one first down and 66 yards of total offense in the first half. Casa Grande (1-4), led by two touchdowns from senior Harnish Ayora, took a 12-0 lead into halftime.
“I told them at the half, this is our season,” Rincon’s first year coach Pat Ryden said. “We didn’t do anything different in the second half. We just had a different attitude.”
Five minutes into the third quarter, Rincon senior Andrew Martinez returned a blocked punt 12 yards for a score, shifting momentum to the Rangers.
“We talked it over at halftime, and we knew we needed to step it up,” said Martinez. “We needed one big play. That play did it.”
Rincon senior quarterback Tommy Stubbins threw four touchdown passes as the Rangers scored 34 unanswered points in the second half.
“The receivers caught the ball great,” said Stubbins. “The play-calling and execution brought the TDs. (This win) really shows we have what it takes to be a contender in 5A.”