Windsor will get big litmus test this Friday versus Freedom
The Jaguars opened the 2018 football campaign in winning style on Friday, using a strong second half to turn back former league rival Casa Grande, 30-22.
Windsor did it the old fashioned way, dominating the line of scrimmage in churning up over 300 yards on the ground to give head coach Brad Stibi his first victory.
Junior quarterback Nick Pariani (8-11, 60 yards, TD passing) directed a bruising ground attack led by junior running back Lorenzo Leon, who amassed over 100 yards rushing with a pair of touchdowns. Also turning in solid ground efforts were senior Octavio Vega and junior Jeremiah Pignataro.
“Being able to run the football was definitely the key to the game,” Stibi said, praising the work of offensive linemen Austin Jacob, Julian Pell, Christian Jernigan and Jacob Thrall. “Overall, I think we’re developing at a good pace and gelling as a group.”
The Jags will get their first litmus test this Friday, Aug. 24 when they play host to Freedom High School of Oakley, a perennial playoff team that handed Windsor a 49-0 loss last season. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
“Our plan defensively is to try to get to their running back as fast as we can and not miss tackles,” Stibi noted. “We need to make that first contact count.”
Strong finish keys win
Casa Grande drew first blood in the opening period on Friday when quarterback Jadon Bosarge connected on a 20-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dominic McHale for an early 7-0 lead at the end of one.
Pariani got the Jags on the board in the second quarter when he found junior receiver Jake Seivers on a 15-yard scoring strike. Otis Cain added the PAT kick and the game was knotted at 7-7. Casa Grande finished the half with another 15-yard touchdown pass and the Gauchos led 14-7 at the break.
Windsor began to control the line of scrimmage in the third quarter, as Leon finished off a pair of strong drives with scoring runs of six and 13 yards as the Jags surged to a 21-14 advantage. A safety after a bad snap by the Gauchos on a punt attempt made it 23-14 at the end of three.
Windsor gained separation midway through the final period, mounting an 11-play drive culminating in a 4-yard scoring burst for a 30-14 cushion. Casa added a 4-yard touchdown pass late in the game but the Jaguars hung on for a 30-22 win.
