by Chris Pfaff, Xavier Sportswriter

The one-win, four-loss Xavier Flag Football team traveled to Perry High School on Tuesday, October 15, hungry for a win. Their 21-7 victory over the Pumas satisfied that hunger.

Perry’s pick-six with 9:24 left in the 2nd quarter delayed Xavier’s satisfaction and gave Perry a 7-0 advantage.

Because of a penalty after the Puma’s touchdown or extra point, Xavier started their next drive on the 50-yard line.

QB Ana Matuz Moran and Gigi Bulkley teamed up to complete a 14-yard pass play to the Perry 36. Then, with the ball on the 29, Matuz Moran threw a long pass to Ruth Reyes for the Gator’s first touchdown of the evening. A Cooper Hidalgo extra-point kick knotted the score at 7 apiece.

Xavier’s next drive started in their own territory at the 37 with 5:43 left in the first half. Xavier “goes for it” on 4th and 1 at the their own 39. A three-yard pass play to Bulkley gives the Gators a new set of downs.

The Gators continue to move the ball down the field until they reach Perry’s 35-yard line.

It is now 4TH DOWN & 15 at the 35 with1:04 left in the half.

Matuz Moran escapes the Puma rush and carries the ball down to the 14-yard line and follows it up with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Bulkley. Xavier 14-7.

Xavier’s final scoring drive came in the 3rd quarter. Once again, they went for it on a 4th down situation. This time, it was 4th and 5 on Perry’s 45. The Gators’ 13-yard play to the Perry 32 kept the drive alive. Unfortunately I didn’t catch that play on video.

In addition, I failed to get video of the touchdown catch by Xavier outstanding receiver, senior Grace LeDoux, at the 6:00 mark of the 3rd quarter. Xavier 21-7.

How about the game’s exclamation point provided by Bulkley’s “sliding” interception in the last minute of the game.

Xavier Flag Football plays next Tuesday, October 22, at Tucson High Magnet School.