Sam Lanier
ASU Student Journalist

Veritas Prep trounces Coronado 69-6 in season finale

October 27, 2023 by Sam Lanier, Arizona State University


The Coronado Dons run out to the field on Senior Night (Photo by Sam Lanier/AZPreps365)

Sam Lanier is a student journalist at Arizona State University assigned to cover Coronado High School for AZPreps365.com

Coronado lost its the final game of the season to Veritas Prep, 69-6, and finished its winless season at 0-10.

It was the first time Coronado scored in five games.

The Falcons (7-3) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with eight touchdowns and successful extra points after each of them. Veritas punt returner Christian Gonzalez took it all the way to the house for a 7-0 lead.

“We just continued to play our game on both sides of the ball,” Veritas Prep quarterback John Weiland said.

The Dons, who were without their starting quarterback Nicholas Vanalstine, started their first possession from inside the 10.

Coronado running back Christian Calvert breaks off a big run for 20 yards to get the Dons a fresh set of downs.

The drive would stall after a pair of runs that would be stuffed by the Falcons.

Veritas added some trick plays as wide receiver Gio Guido would take the pitch 37 yards to the end zone to make it 14-0 halfway through the first quarter.

After forcing a Coronado three-and-out, Veritas kept their foot on the gas pedal as they converted a third-and-long, leading to a rushing touchdown by Max Kaminski and extended the lead to 21-0.

Weiland then connected with Henry Rathsburg on a 37-yard TD pass, which pushed the lead to 28-0.

The Dons would not be able to get anything going on their fourth straight three-and-out, then another Veritas rushing TD came from Tico Lentz to put the Falcons ahead, 35-0.

Coronado backup QB Will Valenzuela had a pass intercepted by safety Baylor Arnold, who returned it for another TD with make it 42-0.

The Falcons blockd Coronado’s punt, putting them in the red zone again.

Backup QB Rocco Guido makes a very pretty over the shoulder throw to Gio Guido as the Falcons continue to rack up points with 49 before the half.

Weiland was happy with how his teammates continued to compete and not let up despite what the scoreboard said heading into the break.

Coronado opened the second half with their best drive of the game so far picking up a pair of first downs, but the Dons would cough the ball up and Veritas to take over in Coronado territory.

Coronado force the Falcons to go three-and-out for the first time, however the Dons muffed the punt and Veritas scooped it up.

A QB sneak by Rocco Guido put the Falcons on the board in the second half, extending their lead to 56-0 entering the final quarter of play. 

Veritas reached the end zone once more on a long catch by Brayden Barrows which would make it 63-0 with just under minutes to go.

Coronado got its biggest play on a 71-yard catch and run by Dylan Cruz, then Calvert's ensuing TD in that possession made the score 63-6, before the team's two-point conversion was no good. 

On the Falcons' final possession, they gave it to Wesley Jackson who scored on another rushing TD to cap off the win.

Veritas head coach Jason Black said about his team's blowout victory that “it was a chance for us to get everyone in the game." 

Coronado head coach Rick Benjamin is excited for next season as he claimed his team “will be way more experienced."