Arbor View turns up intensity, steamrolls Legacy

By Paul Delos Santos

Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 | 11:35 p.m.

While the memory of losing to its rivals last Friday was still fresh on Arbor View’s mind, there was another loss that gnawed away: the Sept. 27 defeat to Legacy when the Aggies were shut out for the first time since 2010.

During the six weeks since that first meeting, not a moment has passed that the players didn’t view the rematch as a chance to exact revenge.

The Aggies unleashed pent-up frustration from the loss, culminating in a 40-0 demolition of Legacy in the Sunset Region quarterfinals.

“We had a chip on our shoulder. We didn’t score last time,” said senior Jacob Speaks, who rushed for 78 yards on five carries and had a 43-yard touchdown reception to go with an interception. “We had to be aggressive. We weren’t as aggressive (the last time we played Legacy). We turned the intensity up.”

The Aggies outgained Legacy 462-40 and were led by a gutsy second-half performance by senior Devon Turner, who rushed for 117 yards on five carries with two touchdowns on an injured shoulder.

“Whether my shoulder was hurt or not, it was time to play,” he said.

While Turner served as the designated closer whose second-half breakout sealed the game, it was Speaks who provided the first spark that later grew into an uncontrollable blaze.

Midway through the second quarter, Andrew Cornwell sold a run play on play action. The safety bit, leaving Speaks wide open. Cornwell’s throw was off, but Speaks had plenty of time — and room — to make an adjustment, catch it and run for the 43-yard score.

“Definitely, the turning point, and it brought the momentum (to our side),” Speaks said. “I had to come through with it.”

Then it was Turner’s turn.

After getting a stop on Legacy’s initial drive of the second half, Turner and the Aggies marched up the field, leading to a Turner 12-yard touchdown run.

“That was the one that broke their back,” Arbor View coach Dan Barnson said.

It didn’t get much better as the Aggies continued to pound away, ripping off chunks of yardage at a time, while the Longhorns couldn’t get going offensively.

Casey Hughes rushed for 17 yards on nine carries for Legacy (6-4), while his backfield partner Devin Williams rushed for two yards on nine carries.

The Aggies (8-2) draw four-time defending state champion Bishop Gorman in the Sunset Region semifinals.

If Speaks is any indication, don’t expect the Aggies to be intimidated by the Gaels.

“They’re just another team to us,” he said.

Paul Delos Santos can be reached at 990-2416 or mail to [email protected]. Follow Paul on Twitter at twitter.com/pauliedelos.