Mojave uses ground attack to top Sunrise Mountain

Mojave used a solid rushing attack to build a first-quarter lead on Friday en route to a 55-12 road win over Sunrise Mountain.

Devinn Houston led all rushers with three touchdowns and 68 yards. De’vann Underwood and K’maurian Philogene both added rushing TDs for Mojave, which built a 27-6 first-quarter lead. Underwood also returned an interception 17 yards for the final score of the game.

Philogene, who was coming off a 384-yard passing performance in his previous outing, completed 11 of 24 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns for Mojave (2-3).

Despite throwing two interceptions, Sunrise Mountain’s Damaurier Alexander nearly matched Philogene’s passing numbers. The junior was 13-for-27 for 180 yards. His top target was Laquan Macklin, who caught five passes for 125 yards.

Alexander also was responsible for the Miners’ two scores: an 88-yard kickoff return early in the first quarter and a 4-yard rushing TD late in the third quarter.

Sunrise Mountain (1-4) struggled with penalties and inconsistent play on offense.