Tanner Menning is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Coronado High School for AZPreps.365.com

The Coronado Dons (1-9) lost their last game of the season to the Veritas Prep Falcons, 53-18, on Friday. 

Before the game, Coronado’s athletic director Robert Villa described some of the injury issues they have faced this season.

“We only have 21 of 29 players out there tonight, three of them are starters,” Villa said. 

Veritas Prep (7-3) started the game off fast after not getting points on their first drive. Falcons quarterback Rocco Guido threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. 

On their next drive, Falcons running back Tico Lentez gashed the defensive line and ran for a big gain, which put the Falcons on the five-yard line. They converted a five-yard touchdown pass caught by wide receiver Christian Dominguez. 

Things continued to get worse for Coronado on the next drive where the Dons fumbled, and it was picked up for a Veritas Prep TD.

On the next Falcons possession, they ran a fake WR screen, leaving Baylor Arnold wide upon in the endzone for a 20-yard TD, making the score 29-0. 

In the second quarter, the Dons defense only allowed one TD. 

On the other hand, Coronado mixed things up on offense late in the first half. Defensive star and captain Dylan Cruz threw an 80-yard TD pass on a trick play where he was originally lined up as a running back.  

Before the game, Coronado head coach Rick Benjamin said to watch out for three or four trick plays they were planning to run, and that was one of them.

Cruz advocated for more offensive snaps on the sideline, saying, “Put me out there on offense.” 

In the second half, Coronado was able to put two more touchdowns on the board. A 25-yard TD pass from Dylan Cruz on another trick play, he also scored a one-yard rushing TD out of the wildcat formation. 

However, three total TDs were not enough for Coronado to outscore the dominant Veritas Prep offense. 

After the game, Coach Benjamin was proud of his team and showed optimism for the future.

“When we play our best, we can win a lot of games, you’ll see a lot more wins from Cornado in the future,” Benjamin said. 

Benjamin and his players shared hugs and kind words after the last game of the season. It is clear that even after a tough season, there is optimism for Coronado and the future of the program.