Joseph City advanced to the second round of the 1A state playoffs with a 63-46 home field victory over Mogollon last Saturday, defeating the Mustangs for the second time in as many weeks.
The Wildcats had many exceptional offensive efforts, but it was their defense, which held twice on fourth down midway through the first half, which kept the Cats in front at the intermission.
Aaron Johnstun opened the scoring early in the game by catching the first of his three touchdowns to put the Cats on top early.
Mogollon marched right back, taking the lead just moments later as a two-point conversion put the Mustangs up 8-6.
That lead didn’t last long. Kaden Westover returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to put the Cats back on top 14-8 with a two-point conversion.
On their next possession, a 50-yard pass to Matt Fields set the Cats up with first and goal. Bryndon Buckley did the rest on a quarterback sneak, making the score 22-8 with 1:51 left in the first quarter.
Mogollon returned the kick 64 yards, setting up a 16-yard run to the end zone that brought the score 22-14 with 1:27 still left in the first period.
Following a Joseph City fumble the Mustangs moved the ball inside the 10 yard line where they failed to convert a fourth and seven. Mogollon’s next possession began at midfield, but once again they were turned away on downs by the Wildcat defense.
With 4:33 left in the half, Cameron Baldwin hooked up with Johnstun on a 52-yard catch and run, increasing the margin to 28-14.
Mogollon came back just minutes later to score on a two-yard run by Seth Tenney. The successful two-point try made the score 28-22 at the half.
The Mustangs took the lead midway through the third period on an eight-yard touchdown pass followed by a two-point conversion to make the score 30-28.
The Wildcats began their next drive on their own 39 yard line and faced a fourth and nine at Mogollon’s 24 yard line. They converted that fourth down in fashion with a Baldwin to Fields touchdown strike. Baldwin and Johnstun converted the two-point try and Joseph City moved on top for good, 36-30. Following the score the Cats kicked a line drive into the chest of the Mustangs and recovered the carom, getting the ball back quickly. On the next play Fields, who sat out most of the first half with an injury, broke free for a 51-yard scoring run, expanding the lead to 42-30.
Following a third defensive stand on fourth down inside their own five yard line, the Cats quickly scored on a 68-yard run by Fields to bring the score to 48-30.
Mogollon wasn’t quite done scoring and pulled closer again with a one-yard run and conversion with 8:13 left in the game to move the score to 48-38.
Four minutes later Fields scored again, this time on a four-yard run, pushing the lead to 56-38.
Mogollon added a late score, as did the Wildcats on a 64-yard touchdown by Johnstun for the final score of 63-46.
Joseph City piled up 510 yards of total offense. Baldwin completed four of six passes for 169 yards with three touchdowns. Buckley completed two of four passes for 67 yards with one score.
Johnstun had four receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Fields had two catches for 76 yards and a score.
Fields led the rushing attack, compiling 175 yards on 14 carries and finding the end zone three times. Troy Poudrier had 19 rushes for 91 yards. Eligh Ashcroft carried twice for six yards, Latrell Kinlicheenie had four runs for five yards and Buckley had one carry for a one-yard touchdown.
Johnstun led the defense with 13 tackles, while Poudrier and Westover each made nine stops.
Joseph City advances to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face Superior at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The unbeaten Panthers earned a bye as the second overall seed and will host the Wildcats.
