PC's size, speed too much for Antelope

WELLTON - Antelope typically has always had to overcome a physical size deficiency to compete through the years.

Phoenix Christian just had too much muscle and speed for the Rams to handle Friday.

The Cougars finished their first five offensive series in the end zone to hand Antelope a 37-6 loss at Buckeye Field.

"They're a big team and they ran right at us," Antelope coach John Blabe said of PC. "I was surprised our kids hung in there in the second half. You always try to take something positive away, and this week would be how the kids kept battling back because they were well-overmatched. But they were going hard up to the last play."

PC (6-0) running back Naje Singleton rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown by halftime. He didn't play at all in the second half.

The Cougars began each drive with a heavy dose of the run, but showed they could put the ball in the air too. PC quarterback Nate DeSantiago passed for TD's of 11, 20 and 10 yards.

Antelope's (2-3) first six drives ended with four punts and two interceptions.

The Cougars finished off a nine-play drive with a touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second half, but the Rams held PC to a field goal the rest of the game.

Antelope defensive back/wide receiver Tyler Claar helped set up the Rams' lone touchdown. He intercepted a pass deep in Antelope territory and returned it 21 yards.

After a 22-yard strike from quarterback Chance Mixon to Erick Hernandez, and a couple short Aaron Skousen runs, Claar hauled in an 18-yard reception and held on to the ball, despite taking a hard hit at the 3-yard line.

Mixon finished off the drive with a 1-yard keeper with 2:03 left to play.

Skousen rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries for the Rams.

"The good part, we came away with no injuries," Blabe said. "Before we came in here I was afraid we'd just get physically hammered and that wasn't the case. We just have to put this behind us and concentrate on a very winnable game next week against Westwind at our homecoming."