PHOENIX-- When Marcus Hubbard was ejected with six minutes to go, he slammed his head in frustration near the entrance to the locker room.

 

That was the tone for nearly the whole game as North Canyon was shut down 30-0 by Apollo  on Friday at North Canyon High School. 

 

If the Rattlers had won it would’ve marked the first time winning three in a row since 2011. North Canyon entered Friday night's game with consecutive victories versus Raymond S. Kellis and Vista Grande.

 

“I don’t think it was something I shouldn't have brought up before the game since I felt like it added more pressure to the players,” said head coach Adam Beene. “I wanted it to be more of a motivator but it really didn’t look like that at all tonight. It was also a lot of pressure for a team that hasn’t really won a lot.”
 

North Canyon’s offense still showed the same struggles from last game vs Willow Canyon. The Rattlers were able to convert only one first down in the first half. 

 

The Hawks got their offense going in the first half via two Gabriel Matanane touchdowns. Abel Gashwarza picked off a Rattler pass near midfield and returned it 40 yards for a score to put Apollo up 24-0 at halftime. 

 

The second half led to more of the same for the Rattlers as they got more frustrated with the opponent and themselves.

 

“We just kept getting in each other's way and it was just a very frustrating night,” said senior Taveo Harris. “The idea of being region champs also got in their heads and we also underestimated this team.”

 

The fourth quarter included a third touchdown by Matanane that helped seal the final score and the ejection of rattler Marcus Hubbard. 

 

“One thing that we lacked is that we didn’t learn how to bounce back after we got scored on,” said senior Clarence Lacour. “We certainly got beat mentally more than physically this game.”

 

It’s also important to know that North Canyon has a very small roster compared to other teams and that could’ve also made an impact on this match.

 

“A lot of our guys were tired since we do only have 36 people which means a lot of people are playing both ways but that shouldn’t be an excuse for tonight.” said Harris. 

 

Although this is a very frustrating loss, Beene is already looking forward to next week's contest versus the Washington Rams.

 

“I am already looking next week to see how our team will change their attitude and how we can get back up to .500,” said Beene. “Unfortunately we are without Hubbard so that is going to make our task just a little bit harder.”

 

North Canyon plays Washington High School at home next week.