Rio Mesa Sees Seesaw Game Slip Away, 51-34

In a game that saw eight lead changes, it seemed probable that whoever had the ball last would pull out the victory.

Unfortunately for Rio Mesa High, it turned out not to make a difference as Dos Pueblos (6-0, 3-0 in league play) ran off 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to claim a 51-34 Channel League victory Friday night at Valley Stadium.

Trailing by four points at the end of the third quarter, the Chargers were faced with stopping the Spartan offense in a matchup of unbeaten teams.

That’s exactly what they did and then some.

Charger quarterback Anthony Ramos took control of his team and the game, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another in the fourth quarter.

Ramos connected with J.J. Brunner for an 11-yard scoring reception and Jason Stone for a 17-yard touchdown. Ramos ran the third score in from one yard.

The Chargers held Rio Mesa (5-1, 2-1) to 15 yards in the fourth quarter.

Ramos completed 17 of 20 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns.

The Spartans ran more than six minutes off the clock on an 80-yard drive to start the second half, with Jay Flores’ four-yard touchdown run giving them a 34-30 lead entering the final quarter.

Carl Richardson of Rio Mesa had 114 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries, and caught two passes for 58 yards, setting up touchdown runs of nine and 18 yards by quarterback Farhaad Azimi.