Leon Kicks Esperanza Past Nogales, 6-0

Kevin Leon kicked two field goals and Esperanza High School’s defense registered its second shutout of the season to lead the Aztecs to a 6-0 victory over previously unbeaten Nogales Friday night at Nogales.

“Our defense did an outstanding job,” Esperanza Coach Gary Meeks said. “Whenever you shut someone out, you have to be doing something right, and they’re a real fine football team.”

Although Meeks was quick to compliment his defense, he was equally as quick to criticize his offense, which sputtered Friday and in last week’s loss to Westminster.

“We need kids who are going to run the ball hard down inside the five-yard line. I’m really disappointed with our offense,” Meeks said.

“We keep getting penalties and can’t sustain a drive. If we keep playing like this, we’re not going to do very well in league play, and Bishop Amat (next week’s opponent) is going to blow us off the field. We have to start executing better.”

Although penalties often hurt the Aztecs, two roughing-the-kicker calls against Nogales allowed Esperanza to sustain its two scoring drives.

In the first quarter, the Aztecs were in a punting situation with fourth and one from their 29, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave them a first down on their 45-yard line.

From there, the Aztecs moved to the Nobles’ 13 before Leon kicked a 30-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, another Aztec drive stalled on their 38-yard line, but the ensuing roughing-the-kicker penalty on a punt gave the Aztecs another first down.

This time, Esperanza made it to the Nogales three-yard line before a holding penalty forced the Aztecs to settle for a 28-yard field goal.