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PREP FOOTBALL Hay, Pirates knock off Hidden Valley Phoenix stays undefeated after penalty-plagued win Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 27, 2014 at 12:25 AM Updated Sep 27, 2014 at 12:40 AM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 27, 2014 at 12:25 AM Updated Sep 27, 2014 at 12:40 AM PHOENIX 49, HIDDEN VALLEY 21 --> RECAP: Senior quarterback Triston Hay rushes for three touchdowns and passes for two more and junior running back Justin Knight racks up 134 yards and two scores on 14 carries for the Pirate... » Read more X PHOENIX 49, HIDDEN VALLEY 21 RECAP: Senior quarterback Triston Hay rushes for three touchdowns and passes for two more and junior running back Justin Knight racks up 134 yards and two scores on 14 carries for the Pirates. UP NEXT: Next Friday, Phoenix at North Valley; Hidden Valley at Klamath Union. » Social News PHOENIX — Triston Hay was a quarterback in Pop Warner and later as a junior varsity player his sophomore year at Phoenix High. Last fall he worked as a running back and receiver on the varsity squad. When his name was called to replace the graduated Justin McCreadie at QB for the 2014 season, Hay was ready to re-embrace the responsibility that comes with the position. “It’s a big role and people look up to you,” he said. “I think you have to have the right person for the job. You have to be accountable.” So far, he’s been all that and more. The senior rushed for 96 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries and passed for 110 yards and two more scores as the undefeated Pirates topped Hidden Valley, 49-21, in the Skyline Conference opener on Friday night. Hay’s go-to guy, junior running back Justin Knight, went for 134 yards and a pair of TDs on 14 rushes, including a jaw-dropping 64-yard score. Junior receiver Zach Atteberry had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. After Phoenix (4-0, 1-0 Sky) went ahead 28-0 in the first quarter, Hidden Valley stormed back with 21 straight points. The Pirates, however, scored the final 21 points to slam the door shut in a game that featured 20 total penalties for 205 yards, split just about evenly between the two squads. The Mustangs’ troubles proved most costly — particularly during one brutal drive. A disastrous stretch of penalties for Hidden Valley turned a suddenly close game into the rout that it appeared destined to be early on. Three 15-yard penalties by the Mustangs — pass interference and helmet-to-helmet consecutively and later a facemask — aided the Pirates during their third-quarter scoring drive that gave them a 14-point lead. Ultimately, Phoenix piled up 389 yards, including 279 on the ground, in the victory. The numbers are nothing new: the Pirates have averaged 45 points per game. “We have the capability to throw the quick pass and we have some receivers who can catch the ball downfield,” Phoenix head coach Toby Walker said. “We also have some linemen who can open up some holes up front. So we are fairly versatile. If the defense is putting eight guys in the box, we are gonna look to throw the football. If the defense is spreading out and trying to cover the receivers then we’ll run the ball. We kind of take what the defense gives us.” Senior QB Michael Hults was 10-for-25 passing for 168 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for Hidden Valley (1-3, 0-1). His 15-yard strike to Keith Moen cut Phoenix’s lead to 28-21 with 4:49 left in the third. “We came all the way back, we just couldn’t close the deal,” Hidden Valley head coach Mark Vidlak said. “We are at that tipping point, it’s 28-21, and it was 4th-and-a-bunch. ... (but) I give (Phoenix) credit. Their QB is a special athlete. He’s not that big but he competes hard. ... I’m proud of our kids and they fought and they could have shut it down when it was 28 to zip.” Hay had scoring runs of 26, 22 and 11 yards to open the scoring. His 22-yard TD pass to Cole George with 16 seconds left in the third quarter capped an improbable drive made possible by Hidden Valley’s penalties. Phoenix faced third-and-30 before a deep pass from Hay to Mahaffey drew the pass interference. To the Phoenix 35 the Pirates went. One play later, the Mustangs were flagged for helmet-to-helmet, advancing the home team to the 50. Hay next rushed for a first down on fourth-and-one and made a 13-yard pass to Mahaffey. A facemask penalty by Hidden Valley brought Phoenix to the Mustang 22 and, after a few failed runs, Hay connected with George. “When McCreadie graduated we knew that we were going to transition the offense a little bit different and move (Hay) to QB to get the ball in his hands every snap,” Walker said. “Because him with the ball in his hands is a good weapon for us.” Miguel Ceron had six carries for 30 yards for Phoenix. “After the second quarter, we went into halftime just saying, ‘Man we can’t lose this momentum. Let’s finish this strong. Let’s make all these fans happy. They didn’t pay for nothing. Let’s give them a good show,’” said Phoenix lineman Mao Masalosalo, a 6-foot-3, 335-pound senior. Hidden Valley; 0 14 7 0 — 21 Phoenix; 28 0 7 14 — 49 P — Hay 26 run (Bazan kick) P — Hay 22 run (Bazan kick) P — Hay 11 run (Bazan kick) P — Knight 64 run (Bazan kick) HV — Campbell 23 pass from Hults (Millette kick) HV — Alfred 9 pass from Hults (Millette kick) HV — Moen 15 pass from Hults (Millette kick) P — George 22 pass from Hay (Bazan kick) P — Knight 1 run (Bazan kick) P — Mahaffey 28 pass from Hay (Bazan kick) Reach reporter Dan Jones a 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 27, 2014 at 12:25 AM Updated Sep 27, 2014 at 12:40 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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