Arbor View holds off Shadow Ridge, sets up Sunset showdown with Palo Verde

By Tristan Aird

Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 | 11:59 p.m.

Herman Gray rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries while playing exclusively in the first half, and Arbor View rolled to a 40-24 home win over Shadow Ridge to open the Division I Sunset Region playoffs Friday night.

Denajiou McZeal carried four times for 67 yards, including a touchdown on the Aggies’ first play from scrimmage, and Charles Louch added 29 yards and a TD on six carries.

“It’s kind of what we’ve hung our hat on,” Arbor View coach Dan Barnson said of a multifaceted running game.

But the Aggies’ offense wasn’t limited to a rushing attack Friday, as senior quarterback Bryce Poster completed 4 of 7 passes for 57 yards, including a TD to Mitchell Durkee.

Special teams also looked sharp for Arbor View, as Carter Andrade made two of his three field-goal attempts.

Arbor View advanced to host Palo Verde in a Sunset Region semifinal next week. The game is not only for a trip to the Sunset title game, but will pit a pair of rivals from the old Northwest alignment in a battle of double-wing offenses to boot.

“The history is what makes it fun,” Barnson said. “We’ve modeled ourselves after them, and still do.”

Shadow Ridge, which was the last team into the playoffs from the ultra-competitive Southwest, finished 3-7.

Tristan Aird can be reached at 702-259-8829 or [email protected]. Follow Tristan on Twitter at twitter.com/tristanaird.