The ceremonies honoring two legendary Miami High School coaches had concluded, and it was time for the Vandal varsity football team to take the field.

In Friday's Homecoming game, the Vandals took on the Alchesay High School Falcons from Whiteriver. The Falcons, another Section 2A Black team, came to Ragus Stadium with a 4-1 record; they were unbeaten in section play at 2-0. Miami entered the game 2-3, and 1-1 in section games.

On this “Kenny Vargas Night” in tribute to the late coach, the Vandals would come up big on the gridiron, led by senior quarterback Abram Castaneda.

It was a shaky start, however, as Miami's initial drive was frustrated by offensive penalties. Alchesay then drove down the field, capping the drive with a touchdown run by running back Texas James. James then caught a pass for the two-point conversion, and the Falcons had an early 8-0 lead.

The Vandals struck back quickly, though, with a 91-yard kick return touchdown by Deray Mathis. A successful two-pointer tied the game.

Miami's defense then stopped Alchesay on fourth down, and the Vandals offense was driving downfield  when the first quarter ended. The drive included a 57-yard pass from Castaneda to Mathis.

In the second quarter, the Vandals had first and goal after another Mathis catch. But the Alchesay defense stiffened, forcing fourth and goal. Castaneda threw an incompletion and the Falcons took over.

Miami got the ball right back, recovering a Falcons fumble on the 11-yard line, and capitalized with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Castaneda to Aiden Goss. Mathis hauled in another catch for two points, and the Vandals were on top 16-8 with 8:36 left in the first half.

Miami forced a punt on the Falcons' next drive. Castaneda led the Vandals downfield, busting loose for runs of 41 and 22 yards. The senior capped it off with a 25-yard scoring pass to Noah Combs. With another successful two-point conversion, the Vandals led 24-8 with 3:26 left in the half.

Combs then made a big play on defense with an interception and a long return. With 26 seconds to go, Castaneda connected with Ryder Guerrero on a three-yard touchdown pass. The two-point

conversion try failed, and Miami led 30-8.

In the closing seconds of the first half, Alchesay was on the move again after a long kick return; however, playing on defense, Mathis and Goss took down a Falcons runner to end the half.

Miami started the second half on offense. Castaneda threw and 29-yard pass to Combs, and Domanik Gonzales capped off the drive with a two-yard scoring run. Castaneda connected with Combs on the extra point, and the Vandals were ahead 38-8 with 9:09 left in the third quarter.

The Falcons put together another drive downfield, but were stymied by a penalty on fourth and goal. As the third quarter ended, Miami was on the move again.

In the final quarter, a touchdown pass to Mathis was wiped out by a penalty and the Falcons took over on downs.

The Vandals scored again on a four-yard run by Castaneda, but the two-point try was unsuccessful. That led to a kind of symmetry on the scoreboard, as Miami led 44-8 with 4:48 left in the game.

Miami's defense then stepped up again, forcing a three-and-out by Alchesay. The final score was Vandals 44, Falcons 8.

Castaneda threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 142 yards and a score. Along with his

long kickoff return, Mathis caught six passes for 109 yards. Combs hauled in three receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.

With the win, the Vandals raised their record to 3-3. Miami, Alchesay and St. Johns are all 2-1 in section play, trailing the unbeaten Pima Roughriders (4-0).

Next up for Miami is an October 11 home game against the St. Johns Redskins, who are also 3-3.