BADGERS SUFFER 2ND LOSS
by Adam Mason

Badgers Loose To Arizona Western 17-30

Yuma, AZ-Snow College (9-2, 7-1) had its national championship hopes dashed with a tough loss again to the Arizona Western Matadors (9-1, 7-1) 30-17 on Saturday.

The Badgers winning streak of 25 straight in conference wins came to an end. They still have a share in a Western States Football League (WSFL) title with the Matadors, as Arizona Western loss to New Mexico Military on October 17th.

The Badgers offense had a hard time getting things going at the beginning. Snow fumbled the ball on the opening kickoff, which was ran back for a Matador touchdown with 14:45 left in the first quarter. The offense also had two turnovers in the first quarter on their first two drives.

The defense came up with big plays in the first half including a forced fumble that was recovered by Snow on the Matador’s six yard line, which led to a field goal. With 5:38 left in the second quarter the Badger defense came up with a big stop on a fourth and one, which led to a Snow touchdown. Snow went into halftime up 10-7.

The Badger defense held the Matador offense to two field goals in the third quarter to keep the game alive while being held scoreless. Then with just under 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter the Badgers were forced to punt deep in their own territory. After a bad punt the Matadors had the ball on Snow’s 22 yard line, which led to a Western touchdown to make it 20-10 with 12:58 left.

Snow quickly scored with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter as sophomore quarterback Quinn Mecham (Timpview High School) hit sophomore wide receiver Mazi Ogbanna for a 23 yard touchdown pass.

Arizona Western scored a field goal to make it 23-17 when a short kickoff was retrieved by Snow that was run to the Matador’s 38 yard line. Snow was on the 28 with 2:17 left when Mecham threw an interception which led to a Matador touchdown run to put the game away.

Sophomore running back Tyson Church (North Sanpete High School) had 20 carries for 89 yards. Mecham went 16-21 with two touchdown throws, but threw three interceptions.

The Badgers will play in the Zion’s Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl on December 5th.