Sloan Canyon football rolls in tuneup for playoffs next week — PHOTOS

Hosting CIVICA Academy on Thursday night, Sloan Canyon’s football team faced one last test before the 4A Southern Region playoffs begin next week.

The Pirates aced it, routing the independent Wolves 48-6.

“I’m proud of the way they finished the regular season,” Sloan Canyon coach Nate Oishi said. “They played good, disciplined football. They took it one play at a time, and they stuck together as brothers and trusted one another on each play.”

The Pirates (7-2) excelled in all three facets. They generated 315 yards of offense, held a powerful CIVICA Academy (6-3) attack to one touchdown, and scored on a punt return.

Senior quarterback Cade Hoshino had the Sloan Canyon offense moving efficiently, finishing 12-for-19 with 233 yards and four touchdowns. He spread the ball around all night, as eight Pirates recorded catches.

“It really showed our weekly preparation we put in, and we played for each other tonight,” Hoshino said.

Sloan Canyon used this game to work on two key facets before the postseason: avoiding a slow start and cutting back on mental mistakes. Hoshino praised Pirates offensive coordinator JD Alexander for helping the team work through errors that have hampered the team recently.

“We had a lot of (mental errors) during the past couple weeks, and I think we kind of just pinned down those errors in practice,” Hoshino said. “I think that’s why we were so efficient tonight.”

Sloan Canyon got on the board first when Pirates junior receiver Coen MaKinney returned a punt 60 yards to the house. Sloan Canyon soon made it a 14-0 game on Hoshino’s 3-yard dash.

The Pirates — who ran just three plays from scrimmage in the first quarter — added to their lead shortly after on a 52-yard interception return from senior defensive back Arie McQuaig IV.

CIVICA Academy shook off the early struggles to reach the end zone shortly after the second quarter began. Wolves senior quarterback Ayden Jackson found senior receiver Matteo Montgomery for a 35-yard touchdown, cutting Sloan Canyon’s lead to 20-6.

Jackson went 5-for-12 passing with 100 yards and one touchdown.

After that, the Pirates quickly regained control with two scoring passes from Hoshino to sophomore wideout Kaiden Hunn. Sloan Canyon went into the locker room holding a 34-6 lead.

The Pirates scored once more early in the third quarter, on a 13-yard Hoshino pass to sophomore receiver Brendan Koch, triggering a running clock.

Oishi was proud of how his team came together Thursday night, capitalizing on opportunities and limiting mistakes as they head into the playoffs.

“We treat every game like it’s the most important game because it’s the next,” Oishi said. “The big emphasis here is for the team to enjoy one another, because this is the last time this team will be this team.”