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3rd graders win YAFL Superbowl

Bayfield Wolverines defeat Aztec 25-0

With a crushing defense, key interceptions and four touchdowns, the Bayfield Wolverine third grade team took the title for the Four Corners Young American Football League on Saturday in Farmington.

"They played great," Coach Justin Ross said of the team's 25-0 win over the Aztec Tigers.

Aztec had defeated Bayfield twice during the regular season, "and I think they came in and overlooked us," Ross said. "But I'd rather lose to them twice, then win a Superbowl!"

Bayfield's defense stopped Aztec from the start of the game, then two plays later, Tyler Harriman scored a touchdown for the Wolverines.

Also in the first half, quarterback Caden Ross completed a long pass to Kyle Russell, who was stopped just short of the goal line. Ross ran it in after that for the team's second touchdown.

During a pileup later in the first half, Tavion Box stripped the ball from the Aztec offense and ran it back for a touchdown, sending the Wolverines into halftime with a 19-0 lead.

"Our defense just played lights-out defense," Coach Ross said. Jacob Coleman and Justin Westbrook, the two defensive tackles, repeatedly led the defense in stopping the Tiger offense.

"Aztec couldn't run it up the middle at all," Ross said. Defensive ends Daemon Christner and Jacob Coleman also had excellent games, he said.

Middle linebacker Rance Rathjen also made some key tackles during the game, as did Caedon Schneider.

In the third quarter, Ross said the offensive line let up a little bit after playing an awesome first half. Aztec started blitzing and making some progress.

The Tigers drove down to the goal line and were fourth and goal from the one yard line.

"We stopped them!" Ross said proudly. "Once we stopped them, I knew we had it." The offensive line then came back in the fourth quarter, also contributing to the big win.

One Aztec player almost scored a touchdown in the second half, but Harriman ran him down and made the tackle, keeping Aztec to a scoreless game.

Harriman also scored the only touchdown in the second half, sealing the Wolverines' win.

"It was fun," Ross said. "I'm really proud of the players, the parents, and our coaches for an incredible year."

Assistant coaches this year were Clay Rathjen, Willie Riegel, Jake Nossaman and Daniel Russell.

This year's players are in the second and third grades and range in age from seven to nine years old. They are Tavion Box, Chad Benally, Julian Calderon, Daemon Christner, Jacob Coleman, Dillon Espinosa, Esai Gonzales, Estevan Gonzales, Tyler Harriman, Keegan Johnson, Brody LaVenture, Tyce Nossaman, Rance Rathjen, Rhyen Riegel, Caden Ross, Kyle Russell, Caedon Schneider, Tristyn Vavrina, Justin Westbrook and Grady Williamson.