Yuma Catholic advances to State Championship with 5–1 semifinal win
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma Catholic came into the semifinal with just one loss and one tie on the season, trying to make it back to the state title game, and they took care of business with a 5-1 win over Benjamin Franklin to punch their ticket back to the championship.
All season long it’s been freshman standout Cade Garcia, and he delivered again. Garcia found the right corner of the net early in the first half to give the Rocks a 3-1 lead, part of a four-goal performance. After piling up 41 goals in the regular season, he’s continued that dominance in the postseason. Head coach Ralph Evans didn’t hold back when talking about his freshman star.
“God, he’s just so dominating,” Evans said. “His skill and his tactics are just second to none. And he’s got a wicked left shot. Just crazy. I’ve had some really good players over the years, but he’s right up there with the top. Just amazing kid. And he’s just a great kid all the way around.”
Benjamin Franklin had its chances. The Chargers earned a free kick opportunity, but YC goalkeeper Adriel Casis came up with the save to keep the deficit at two. Later, a dangerous pass inside was cleaned up by Donovan Warren on the back line, forcing the ball out and giving the Shamrocks possession right back.
Evans said he knew this wouldn’t look like the earlier meeting between the two teams.
“In the first half it was close. We had to earn every goal we got,” he said. “They’re not the team that we played earlier and we’re not the team they played earlier. So who got better? Them or us and how much better? You can’t go out there and assume you’re going to do the same thing you did the last time, because it’s a whole different team.”
Even with things tightening up in the second half, YC stayed composed and finished off the 5-1 win. Now the focus shifts to the state championship game and a likely matchup with rival Gilbert Christian. Evans says familiarity doesn’t change the approach.
“You’ve got to beat the best to be the best,” he said. “Quit worrying about the past — how many we won, how many we lost. This is the first time we play them this time, and we just got to go out and beat them.”
He also believes this group is different from some of his previous deep playoff teams.
“In years past we had good teams and we made it there by the skin of our teeth and luck,” Evans said. “I think this time it’s just talent, drive, commitment. The chemistry on the field — when they’re on, they’re just unstoppable. It reminds me of one of my old championship teams. Those guys were just best friends on the field. Same chemistry.”
Yuma Catholic now heads back to the AIA State Championship game confident, connected, and, as their head coach put it, ready to go out and beat the best.
