Andrews runs for glory as Diamondbacks roll Trailblazers

Brandon Andrews had little trouble running Thursday at Durango — and that’s a good thing for Desert Oasis.

The Diamondbacks senior running back pounded his way into the host Trailblazers’ side of the field early and often en route to 234 yards and four touchdowns to power Desert Oasis to a 29-7 victory.

Andrews routinely exploited the right side of the line, which he said was the Diamondbacks’ plan from the beginning.

“We saw a weakness on the right side and we worked all week in practice,” said Andrews, who carried the ball 36 times. “They stacked the box, but my line blocked really hard. My line and my fullback (Devin Fortenberry) really came through tonight.”

Durango’s defense put as many as nine defenders at the line to try to stop Andrews, but the senior found every available hole, spinning and bulling his way through the line all night.

Andrews only had two runs of more than 20 yards, but he powered for positive yards on nearly every carry.

Andrews posted scoring runs of 6, 12, 4 and 2 yards for Desert Oasis (4-2, 4-1 Southwest).

“We just wanted to wear them down,” Andrews said. “Just keep wearing them down and they would get tired. And in the second half, they just quit. And again, our line just came through.”

After Andrews scored from 6-yards out to cap Desert Oasis’ first drive of the game, Marcus Williams took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a TD for Durango (3-4, 3-3) that tied the game at 7-7.

Desert Oasis was forced to punt on its next drive, but the Blazers muffed the catch and Manny Quirk recovered the fumble for the the Diamondbacks.

Two plays later, Andrews powered into the endzone from 12 yards out to give Desert Oasis the lead for good at 14-7.

Andrews opened the second half by running the ball six straight times, with the last being a 4-yard run into the endzone that made it 25-7 and all but over for the Blazers.

While Andrews ran wild for the offense, Desert Oasis’ defense shut down Durango. The Diamondbacks outgained the Trailblazers 338-39 for the game.

Drake Leifried had two of Desert Oasis’ four sacks in the game, and the Diamondbacks forced three turnovers. The Trailblazers didn’t cross the Desert Oasis 40 until the closing seconds of the game.

Andrews said getting the road win was important as the Diamondbacks fight for second place in the Southwest.

“Bonanza will be right there as a contender with us for the second seed behind Gorman, so it was definately big to win tonight,” Andrews said.