SURPRISE, ARIZ. – Since the inception of OUAZ Football in 2018, the Spirit and Texas Wesleyan have been at the top of the Sooner standings, with their matchups serving up national attention every year. This season is no different as the Spirit and the Rams played a thrilling opener in the West Valley.
After falling behind 21-3, the Spirit battled back to get within eight points thanks to a Jaylen Magee 42-yard run on OUAZ's first drive of the fourth quarter. The Spirit would score 20 points in the final 10:31 of the game, but would be on the wrong side of a 35-33 final.
WATCH COACH MIKE NESBITT'S POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
Luke Giron showed why he is the reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, as he threw for 188 yards to go along with 110 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Giron completed 19 of his 31 pass attempts, and tossed both of his TDs to Terry Warner III, who had five catches for 61 yards.
Jh'dhan Lester put together a great performance in the season opener, rushing for 127 yards on 21 carries. Lester's running was important to the Spirit all night long, helping push the ball for OUAZ and keep a great flow for the offense.
Lester, Giron, and Jaylen Magee all averaged over 6.0 yards per carry, with Magee leading the way by averaging 9.5 yards on eight carries. Magee also pulled in a catch for 16 yards to go along with his great running and electrifying fourth-quarter touchdown.
The Spirit forced the game's only turnover, getting an interception when they needed it most in the second half. Trailing 28-13 and needing a big stop, Maliki Campbell produced the interception and helped keep the game within reach.
Anthony Echols, Corey Floyd Jr. and Ethan Estrella all recorded 1.5+ tackles for loss, with Floyd Jr. and Estrella picking up a sack apiece. Echols led OUAZ in tackles, with the senior totaling up nine tackles on the night.
On the special teams side, Spirit newcomer Jason Mendoza made a spectacular debut, downing four of his five punts inside the 20. His best boot came in the second quarter where he avoided getting the punt blocked and saw it roll to the Texas Wesleyan 1-yard line.
For Texas Wesleyan, Ernest Ceaser saw four of his seven carries finish in the end zone as touchdowns. Carson Rodgers finished with 366 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
OUAZ will take the field again in two weeks when they host Texas College on Saturday, September 21. Kickoff from Spirit Field is set for 7 p.m.
