Eagles back on winning track

By Brian Wright
Sports Editor
Published on Sunday, October 4, 2009 3:38 PM MST

Offense. Defense. Special teams. It all came together for Thatcher in a 31-6 victory over Bisbee on Friday night.

Thatcher struggled to an 0-4 start but has won two games in a row in conference play.

The biggest difference has been moving junior Tyler Bryce from quarterback to tailback. He has 411 yards in two starts.

Junior running back Brandon Bryce (#40) celebrates in the end zone with Jake Hansen after Bryce scored on a 21-yard run in the third quarter. Thatcher rushed for 308 yards in a 31-6 win over Bisbee on Friday night. Photo by Brian Wright

“He gives us that running back that we haven’t had (in the first four games),” Thatcher coach Don Conrad said.

“You could see on that first play from scrimmage we had in the second half. (When) he hit the hole, he hit it hard and he was gone. That’s the kind of tailback we need to have.”

Conrad was referring to a 69-yard touchdown by Bryce at the 9:32 mark in the third quarter. Bryce exploded through the hole and showcased breakaway speed on his way to the end zone.

Thatcher’s defense didn’t tackle well in the first half, according to Conrad, but allowed only one touchdown all night and completely shut down the Pumas in the second half.

Bryce (defensive back), Derek Aaron (linebacker) and Dayton Barney (defensive end) had especially impressive nights on defense.

Bryce’s absence at quarterback means junior Teren Bingham is now the starter. Bingham put himself on the highlight reel with a 60-yard touchdown run down the Bisbee sideline in the second quarter.

He also completed 4-9 passes for 71 yards. A couple of dropped passes by receivers erased what could have been big plays in the passing game.

“He’s less panicked now than he was,” Conrad said of Bingham. “I think he has a really good temperament for (the quarterback position), and he throws the ball pretty well.”

Conrad isn’t ready to say his team has turned the corner, but a game Oct. 10 against Tempe Prep in Chandler might tell him more.

The Knights (3-2) already have a 14-0 win over Arizona Lutheran Academy and a 42-16 win over Pima this season.

“They’re a metro team. They’re probably going to be a good contest for us,” Conrad said. “It will be a good opportunity to see where we are.”

The Eagles (2-4) appear to have a solid defense. If the offense has finally found its rhythm, Thatcher could make a serious run in its last four games.

Thatcher plays Tempe Prep at Valley Christian High School on Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.

Comments

39 comment(s)

    THS1Danny wrote on Oct 19, 2009 2:02 PM:

    " You're right - Ernie did play D1 ball. Sorry for the mistake. "

    Kamilia wrote on Oct 17, 2009 1:31 PM:

    " I have known Tyler since the day he was born and I have also been a close friend to Ernie Montez. If there is anyone who can be compared to Ernie, it is Tyler. He has the same passion, dedication, drive and devotion as Ernie did when he played for Thatcher. Ernie was not only a record breaking running back, but he was and still is an amazing person. Being compared to him is an honor and Tyler, you should be proud! Thatcher Eagle team, keep up the hard work...it will pay off! "

    SAM wrote on Oct 16, 2009 5:01 PM:

    " THATCHER LOOKED GREAT AFTER ALL THE CHANGES THAT THAY DID TO THE TEAM GREAT KICKER AND PUNTER. "

    THS92 wrote on Oct 15, 2009 8:05 AM:

    " Ernie played D1 at New Mexico State. "

    THS92 wrote on Oct 14, 2009 2:22 PM:

    " Actually, Ernie played D1 at New Mexico State. "

    THS1 wrote on Oct 14, 2009 9:32 AM:

    " Tyler way to take responsibiity, but don't read this for your sake, it will only bring you down. These people aren't worth defending yourself too. The paper called the game as they saw it! Keep ur head up and keep playing like your playing. I've lived in this valley for 56 years and people like to bash on others who ARE and will be more than they ever thought of being! Good luck to you and Teren this week and the rest of the Eagle Team! "

    THS1 wrote on Oct 14, 2009 9:27 AM:

    " Derek Aaron has done well to, but I havesn't seen to much from the other boys mentioned. Tyler held the ball so much in showlow because he was getting KILLED! He had no line. He was scrambling the whole game. Where you people there that are talking about him? Tyler, Teren, Derek, keep up the great work. Your a young team and you have shown a lot of sportmanship on the field. You all support eachother out there, and I have been impressed. Who cares about Ernie, Householder....on and on, none of them played D1 ball, gat over it GCounty. "

    THS1 wrote on Oct 14, 2009 9:22 AM:

    " Tyler and Teren have showed great sportmanship and I have been very impressed with the way the support eachother. How sad the way you people get on her and bash on these young playlers. I bet some of you never even stepped on the field. Tyler is an amazing young man and I have watched him walk up and down the sidelines pumping up every player on the Eagles team. He is a leader and so is Teren. The way these two work together and carry this years YOUNG team has been with a lot of class. "

    troubledeagle wrote on Oct 13, 2009 10:01 PM:

    " I think what bothers me the most is how many people come on these sight and bash these young men. Let them settle it on the field. Do the talking on the field? P.S. no running back in this county will ever be as good of a player or as hard working of a man as Ernie Montez. The man did his talking on the field where its supposed to be. "

    ya wrote on Oct 13, 2009 8:04 PM:

    " atta boy tyler way to put on them big boy pants.!! "

    Tyler Bryce wrote on Oct 12, 2009 8:28 PM:

    " this is tyler bryce. football is a team sport. without a line there are no holes. i would love to still be playin qb but im doin what conrad feels is best for the team. im not in it for the glory. i could care less whos watching. im after that ring. and it takes the entire team to get there. people keep talking about records and all that. it doesnt matter, all that matters is the score board at the end of the game. Teren and everyone else has stepped up. pima better be ready. "

    Pimas whats up wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:22 PM:

    " Thatcher is sooo cocky that they actually think they can win their homecoming. Let me tell you what. Thatcher always underestimates pima. but not for long wait till Friday night all you thatcher fans! its not gunna be pretty! "

    HAHA wrote on Oct 9, 2009 11:55 AM:

    " You probably wont even have to wait until basketball season to see Thatcher lose to PIma. GO RIDERS!!!! "

    just wait wrote on Oct 8, 2009 3:12 PM:

    " No Thatcher team should ever lose to Pima? Wait for basketball... "

    Win state wrote on Oct 8, 2009 12:25 PM:

    " What!!!??? Thatcher will not even make it to the state playoffs. What are you guys dreaming about? They still have to play Willcox, Tempe Prep and Morenci. I don't see them winning any of these games. They will or should I say better beat Pima. I'm am from Thatcher and played for them in the 80's and wona state championship. If they loose to Pima they better not show themselves around town. No Thatcher team should ever loose to Pima. This team will not even get to post season. "

    X wrote on Oct 7, 2009 6:44 PM:

    " It will be great when Thatcher looses their homecoming! "

    ATeam wrote on Oct 7, 2009 5:41 PM:

    " We will find out how good thatcher is this weekend. We will also find out how good this Defense is that the paper says is better. The D line is looking better with the new guys in. All they had to do was give DC a chance. There backs will be fine with the two Bryce boys back there and Teren has shown some good leadership the last two games so good luck and we will be listening if the radio has it on. Go Eagles and good luck Bulldogs "

    Estrada wrote on Oct 7, 2009 2:29 PM:

    " I can't take any credit. I really should quit. "

    if that wrote on Oct 7, 2009 12:08 PM:

    " haha thatcher still sucks the beat 2 poorly teams those teams barely won 2 games if that. and even if u guys played safford we would beat u guys like u guys beat tombstone :) "

    eagle fan wrote on Oct 7, 2009 10:59 AM:

    " hello coach put Bejarano on the bench finally off no pass and still can hit or move. Give us a break where is your heart Ray Ray. "

    DIE like a eagle wrote on Oct 6, 2009 9:04 PM:

    " Come on Man !! A bad team beat a VERY bad team.
    NO post season !!! "

    HAHA wrote on Oct 6, 2009 8:08 PM:

    " Thats it? Is that all Thatcher has? Thats FUNNY!!!! "

    Fun wrote on Oct 6, 2009 11:19 AM:

    " Isn't football in the valley great. I can say i know all these guys I went to school with ernie, BB's dad and Tylers Dad good guys. I know the other guys mentioned to. I just hope these kids dont get caught up in the game of who said and who is not being fair cause life isn't fair just take what you got and go. Have fun and give it everything you got. Give credit where credit is do and you guys will do great. "

    Quit wrote on Oct 5, 2009 10:14 PM:

    " It's an absolute shame that people get on this site and accuse kids that played for the love of the game and not the glory. Ernie, Michael R, Shawn H., Jerry N, Heath A, Denver H., all played the game hard and gave the credit to their teammates. All of these young men have moved on with their lives. To To To Eagle Fan is not a real fan if they believe one of these young men wrote about themselves on this site. Tyler is playing great ball but His new line with the exception off Ray Ray deserves credit. "

    Timothy wrote on Oct 5, 2009 9:43 PM:

    " I was impressed with the way Brandon Bryce (#40) ran the ball. He may be small, but he has amazing strength for his size...and he runs HARD. He definitely deserves more touches. "

    Eagles Fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 7:10 PM:

    " Lay off Tyler..Tyler wasnt the one to say that he was the only reason that Thatcher has started winning football games. It was the coach and the media so quit bashing on the kid. He is one of the best players on the team but he will be the first to tell you that if it wasnt for his team then he wouldnt be anywhere. "

    bob wrote on Oct 5, 2009 2:31 PM:

    " dang, thatcher is good. if they dont win state it will be the biggest upset since the 07 Patriots lost the super bowl. "

    class of 92 wrote on Oct 5, 2009 1:50 PM:

    " Ernie would be the first to say that he didn't do it all by himself. None of those guys could touch him. Times have changed from team to me. I don't know Tyler but i know his dad and he is not an I kind of guy. He is a team player. So i would say it goes on the coach if Tyler is all about himself. But to he is just a kid cut him some slack put some blame on media and coaching. Keep it up team. "

    To TO TO eagle Fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 1:43 PM:

    " I'd be willing to bet that one of those other guys (Heath, Hinton or Householder) is the author of the "To Eagle fan post. Let it go guys your glory years are long gone. Let's let todays kids enjoy the spotlight. "

    To To eagle fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 12:55 PM:

    " I have to say that those other boys do not and should not be mentioned in the same sentence as Ernie. I played against him for years (PIMA) and none of those others could hold a candle to that guy. "

    to eagle fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 11:10 AM:

    " That is funny Eagle Fan. He already tried it by himself when he was quarterback and that didn't work. Thatcher has had some great runningbacks and Tyler is pretty good but he is no Ernie or Heath or Hinton or even Householder. If he keeps playing like a teammate and not an individual he will be much more successful. Hopefully these boys will learn to be good young men and not selfish, selfcentered young men. Cause none of them are going anywhere to play ball after this. "

    Eagle Fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 8:43 AM:

    " This team will go as far as Tyler can carry them. He is the only real playmaker they have this year, wonder why it took Conrad so long to realize this? "

    Valley Eagle Fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 7:41 AM:

    " It surely feels better winning. I know they were weak teams but it still feels good. The D looks like they have added a few players that have helped. #64 is doing a good job i dont know his name but good job. I still don't agree with making it sound like they are a one man team. The new QB did a good job and so did the other running back #40 when he got the ball. The coach will learn that it takes a team. "

    valley fan wrote on Oct 5, 2009 7:36 AM:

    " I dont think the Thatcher team will win state but they will make it tougher on some teams. The Tyler kid runs pretty well but lets not get ahead of ourselves. He has only run against two weak teams. He QB'd against Show Low and Benson and kept the ball most of the time and he didn't do anything there so lets see. Looks like the other Bryce kid did alright when he got the ball. The D has stepped it up looks like. Good Luck in Phoenix Eagles. "

    Go Green wrote on Oct 4, 2009 9:49 PM:

    " I truly feel that Conrad finally realizes what talent he has. He just needs to give some credit to all the palyers that helped with the win. It takes more than one player to win a game. "

    ataboy Egles wrote on Oct 4, 2009 9:46 PM:

    " I would love to see Thatcher play Safford again with this new leadership and team spirit. GO.......... Eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

    ataboy eagles wrote on Oct 4, 2009 9:30 PM:

    " The article made it sound like it was all Tyler, however the whole team did well. The Eagles looked really good Friday night. They played well as a team and I am glad that they have a leader for a QB. Teren has done a GREAT job leading this team the last two games. Great job Eagles. Lets remember that it takes a team to win a game. It takes a line too block and make openings. It takes a team too win. Let's go Eagles...... Good luck this week. "

    to EAGLES RULE wrote on Oct 4, 2009 8:00 PM:

    " i can guarantee that you won't be taking homethe state trophy. Thatcher is too cocky and they aren't good. Benson is the one thats good and is gonna be going far this year. "

    EAGLES RULE wrote on Oct 4, 2009 6:09 PM:

    " Good Job Guys! lets keep it up n take that state trophy home this year!! "

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