Sloan Canyon closed the regular season with a 41-6 win over CIVICA Academy on Thursday, entering the 4A Southern Region playoffs at 7-2. The Pirates excelled in all three phases, gaining 315 yards of offense, holding the Wolves to one touchdown and scoring on a punt return.
Senior quarterback Cade Hoshino completed 12 of 19 passes for 233 yards and four touchdowns, distributing the ball to eight different receivers. "It really showed our weekly preparation we put in, and we played for each other tonight," Hoshino said. The team emphasized avoiding slow starts and eliminating mental mistakes that had appeared in recent weeks.
Junior Coen MaKinney opened the scoring with a 60-yard punt return, and Hoshino added a 3-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead. Senior Arie McQuaig IV returned an interception 52 yards to make it 20-0 before CIVICA (6-3) answered on a 35-yard pass from Ayden Jackson to Matteo Montgomery. Hoshino then threw two touchdown passes to sophomore Kaiden Hunn, and a 13-yard strike to sophomore Brendan Koch early in the third quarter triggered a running clock.
Coach Nate Oishi praised his team's discipline and unity. "I'm proud of the way they finished the regular season," Oishi said. "They played good, disciplined football. They took it one play at a time, and they stuck together as brothers and trusted one another on each play." He added, "The big emphasis here is for the team to enjoy one another, because this is the last time this team will be this team."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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