Windsor High awakens in 2nd half to beat Casa Grande in football opener

WINDSOR - After a lackluster first half that left them trailing 14-7 at halftime, the Windsor Jaguars came out with a sense of urgency in the third quarter and turned the tables on visiting Casa Grande, ultimately winning 30-22 in the opening game of the 2018 high school football season.

In their opening drive of the second half, the Jaguars pounded the ball through the Gauchos’ defense, scoring on an 11-play drive, 10 of which were rushing plays.

Lorenzo Leon powered through the middle for a six-yard score with 7:31 left in the third quarter, followed by Otis Cain’s point after to tie the game at 14.

Leon ran the ball four times on the drive, while Jerimiah Pignataro and Octavio Vega each ran three times in the drive.

Windsor coach Brad Stibi, making his debut in charge of the Jags, had high praise for his rushing corps.

“Lorenzo Leon ran the heck out of the ball,” he said. “Octavio Vega was looking good. Pignataro was a third threat.”

The Jaguars were a different team to start the second half, he said.

“That’s what we were waiting for. We just decided to play,” he said.

After Casa went four-and-out on its next drive, Windsor continued its momentum, spurred by a 20-yard punt return by Landan Estrella and a 12-yard run by Leon.

Leon scored again on a ?13-yard rush. Cain’s point after gave Windsor a 21-14 lead and a clear sense that the Jaguars could win the game.

“It’s not just one guy; it’s the whole team,” Vega said. “When someone gets hyped, everyone gets hyped.”

Casa couldn’t move the ball on its ensuing possession, going four-and-out again at its own 20-yard line.

Then the punt snap was high, soaring well past the kicker and out of the end zone, resulting in a safety and two points for Windsor, giving the Jaguars a 23-14 lead nearing the end of the third quarter.

The rushing trio of Leon, Vega and Pignataro again led the Jags on another 11-play scoring drive midway through the final quarter. Vega had runs of 9 and 8 yards before Pignataro scored on a 4-yard run with 5:51 left in the game.

Cain’s point after gave Windsor a 30-14 lead.

While that may have felt like a commanding lead, Casa didn’t lie down.

The Gauchos’ combination of quarterback Jadon Bosarge and wide receiver Dominic McHale connected on 20- and 12-yard plays before teaming again on a 5-yard touchdown.

That pulled Casa to 30-20. A two-point conversion, again from Bosarge to McHale, made it 30-22 and put the Gauchos within striking distance with 3:47 left.

Windsor, however, drew out the last three minutes, with Pignataro and Leon bearing the burden again. After whittling down the clock to 32 seconds, the Jags turned the ball over on downs at the Gauchos’ ?32-yard line.

Casa aired it out but Bosarge couldn’t connect for enough yardage to threaten.

Windsor is now 1-0 and Casa Grande 0-1 in non-league play.