It was a game that seemed to be over before it started. Millennium improved to 3-0 on the year after the Tigers defeated Cienega 42-14 on the road Friday night but the Bobcats had to go without their head coach and with their third string quarterback. Justin Argraves was called away from the field prior to the game to take care of personal family issues and we send our best wishes in what must be a difficult time.

The loss of a head coach prior to a game is difficult for sure the Bobcats also lost starting quarterback Brayden Cherry to an aggravated injury which forced Evan Weber into service due to the absence of Cherry’s backup. Weber played well with over 150 yards passing and two touchdowns but the scores came after the Tigers sprinted out to a 35-0 lead in the first half.

Millennium QB Derek Berry started the scoring run with a 15-yard bootleg with 6:26 left in the first quarter and then a bad snap on a Bobcat punt led to a 9-yard dash from Zues Pindernation to make it 14-0 with 1:25 left in the first. Shahid Wilson returned an interception 23 yards one minute later and the Tigers led 21-0 heading into the second quarter.

Berry and Zues are a major part of a surging program that is coming off a 5-6 season with a loss in the first round of the 5A state playoffs. A victory over Centennial (2-1) at home next week will magnify all expectations but the Tigers earned those expectations. Zues finished the night with three TDs and over 100 yards rushing and Berry had 165 yards passing with a TD pass to Kyan Fields who pulled in almost 100 yards receiving.

For Cienega, things won’t get much easier with Salpointe (1-2) coming next Friday and a trip to Desert Edge (2-1) following that. The 5A Southern Region appears to be winnable this year but losses could be a drag on the power points needed to reach the playoffs.

Millennium is averaging 45 points a game. It will be difficult for teams to answer each drive down the stretch but that will be the key to beating with the Tigers because defenses will be stretch to the breaking point.