Sophomore quarterback Joseph Cordova brought his team into a huddle and for the first time this season, called for victory formation. 

Cordova handled the snap, kneeled to the ground and it was official — Soroco football had won, advancing to 1-7 on the season.

The Rams invited Lake County to Oak Creek Friday night where two 0-7 teams faced off under the lights. The beauty of the situation was, one team was going to walk away victorious and the other would continue its losing woes of the season. 

Soroco won 48-36. 

With just 10 players in the 8-man football game, the Rams did not have much time to rest. 80% of the team was on the field at all times. 

Head coach Casey Hill mentioned that in previous games, the boys’ energy would deflate in the second half from lack of rest. That was not the case Friday night. 

“I don’t doubt these guys in their level, their talent, their heart and commitment,” Hill said. “It’s just that X-factor. That piece of when you are tired and in it, you dig a little deeper. It’s nice to see them work for something and then get something.”

Soroco took calculated risks early in the game, converting on fourth down in the team’s opening drive. The conversion led to an eventual rushing touchdown for freshman Cavit Gregory who punched in the two-point try, giving the Rams an early 8-0 lead. 

“(The touchdown) made us have a lot better of an attitude and got us all going,” Gregory said, who also mentioned the focus this week during practice surrounded keeping high energy and staying disciplined for all 48 minutes. 

Running a two-minute offense at the end of the second quarter, Cordova found the hands of sophomore receiver Brayden Dudley deep down the field for a 60-yard touchdown pass. 

Cordova’s confidence in the passing game has grown each week and he said it is due to a lot more than just his increasing connection with his receivers. 

“I give a lot of credit to our (offensive) line because they have really come through,” Cordova said. “They have been blocking a lot better and giving me more time to throw. Without them I wouldn’t be able to have that time to make those kinds of throws. I give it all to the O-line.”

By halftime, Soroco held a 22-12 lead, scoring more points in those two quarters than it had in a full game all season. Still, Hill wanted his players to picture the game was tied at 0-0 and remain focused. 

“They are going to come at us and they are going to want it,” Hill told his players at halftime. “It is going to come down to who wants it more.” 

A number of long drives from both teams eventually drained the time off the clock, giving the visiting Panthers no time to forge a comeback. 

“We had 24 minutes and we put it together,” Hill said. “We wanted it more.” 

Both Gregory and Cordova agreed they would celebrate the win with a good night’s sleep. Gregory says the team will have a very positive week in practice leading to its final game of the season this weekend — Friday, Nov. 1 — against Plateau Valley in Oak Creek. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

Lake County 36, Soroco 48
LC: 0 12  8  16
S:   8 14 14 12