Raiders' opener streak continues

Cibola's backfield brothers powered the Raiders to a 27-6 victory over El Centro-Central to push their season-opening winning streak to at least six on Friday night at Raider field.

Running back Jordan Mitchell and fullback Steven Mitchell rushed for a total of 267 yards and three touchdowns, while the Raider defense limited the Spartans to a single score.

After exchanging stalled drives, Cibola struck first when quarterback Blake Boyer found tight end Jacob Gauna wide open in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 remaining in the first quarter. The Raiders failed to convert the PAT attempt and took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.

On the Raiders' next possession, Jacob Mitchell slashed his way over and around defenders to the Spartan 1-yard line. He punctuated the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to give the Raiders a 13-0 lead with 3:47 left in the second quarter.

Despite failing to move the ball against the Cibola defense all night and trailing by two scores, the Central Spartans were unwilling to go quietly into the half. After finding themselves in third-and-15, Spartan quarterback Brandon Andrews unleashed a 40-yard strike to Asa Salcido, placing them deep in Cibola territory. Two plays later, he placed the ball into the outstretched hands of Zac Guizar who proceeded to dive into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed and the Spartans trailed Cibola 13-6 with :56 remaining in the second quarter.

“Besides the one big pass play late in the second half that led to their score, our defense did a great job,” Cibola coach Lucky Arvizo said. “Inside and outside our guys did their jobs on defense and did a good job for our first game.”

Central High began the second half with a meticulous 10-minute drive but came up empty when three consecutive penalties ended the drive at Cibola's 3-yard line.

On the ensuing drive, Cibola marched 93 yards on the legs of Jordan Mitchell who had four carries for 67 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown scamper to cap the drive.

After forcing the Spartans to a three-and-out midway through the fourth, Steven Mitchell scored on a 41-yard touchdown run to cement the lead at 27-6 with 3:15 remaining in the game.

Jordan Mitchell finished with 180 yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns while brother Steven finished with 87 yards on five carries and one touchdown.