Photo: Delaney Courtney takes the winning kick.
In their toughest game yet, the Prescott Badgers needed Delaney Courtney’s field goal late in the fourth quarter to get past the Coconino Panthers 17-14 in a tight regional game at Bill Sheppard Field. was necessary.
Just when it looked like the Panthers were going to take the lead after a scoreless first quarter, the Badgers took the lead in exciting fashion. Maggie Manley had other plans, stepping in front of the receiver and sending the ball 100 yards in the opposite direction with the ultimate pick-six. Courtney added the extra point two minutes into the second quarter, giving the Badgers a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers tied the score when Lucy Stigler caught a short 1-yard pass from Blanca Gomez. Wylan Smith added the extra point, tying the score at 7 with just under two minutes left in the first half.
Coconino scored on a scramble and 10-yard run by Blanca Gomez to take a 14-7 lead with 2:45 left in the third quarter.
With six minutes remaining, Mallory Walsh caught a shovel pass from Liana Aguilar and scored from nine yards out to bring the Badgers within one point, 14-13. Prescott chose to kick the extra point from the 10-yard line instead of the traditional 5-yard line, believing that a successful run would net him two points. Delaney Courtney made it with ease, giving the Badgers a 15-14 lead with six minutes left. But not so fast. Officials discussed the play and decided the kick was worth only one point, not two. So the scoreboard changed to 14-14.
Prescott was unfazed by the change in score and got the ball back, determined to hold off the Panthers and take the lead. After the drive stalled with 36 yards to go, Courtney calmly split the uprights from 37 yards to go for the winning kick. Coconino got the ball in three plays, but time expired.
Photo: Mallory Walsh tries to break through 2 Mia Pozart to score a fourth quarter touchdown.
Liana Aguilar gained just 57 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions to make it 10-18. Aguilar also led the team with 53 rushes. Courtney led the team with 12 tackles and Daria Young had 11 tackles. Courtney and Olivia Labor also each recorded one sack.
The Badgers picked off the Panther QB three times, including one big 100-yard pick-six by Alaina Gilray, Daria Young and Maggie Mannery.
Delaney Courtney said: I went up on fourth down and asked the coach if he wanted to kick it and he said yes. So I went outside, took a few deep breaths, and made it. I was very happy to be able to participate for the team. It was a really tough game, but the team was good at passing, so it was fun. ”
Coach Ryan Hart said, “Offensively, we couldn’t get things right, but we did what we needed to do.” The girls showed a lot of grit tonight. Our defense was able to put some pressure on them and that made a big difference in stopping them on key possessions and getting pick-sixes. I’m really proud of the shutout against a very good Coconino team. ” Regarding the extra point kick confusion, Hart added, “Everyone is learning here this year, including the officials.” They explained their interpretation of the rules and we all moved on. ”
The Badgers (7-0) travel to Mayer to face the Wildcats on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Coconino falls to (5-2).
Prescott Badgers 17, Coconino Panthers 14
Quarterly scores – 1 2 3 4 – T
Coconino 0 7 7 0 – 14
Prescott 0 7 0 10 – 17
Score overview
P-Mannelly 100 Yard Pass Interception (Courtney Kick)
C-Stigler 1-yard pass from Gomez (Smith kick)
C-Gomez 10 yard run (Smith kick)
P-Walsh, 10-yard pass from Aguilar (Courtney kick)
P Courtney 37 yard field goal
scoreboard
Prescott 17, Coconino 14
Bradshaw Mountain 37, Mayer 0
Arete Prep 3, Valley Christian 0
Benjamin Franklin 36, Palo Verde Magnet 12
Campo Verde, Arizona 31 College Prep 7
Castile 24, Boulder Creek 3
Crismon 20, Eastmark 17
Deer Valley 38, Tempe 7
Hamilton 42, Higley 0
Heritage Academy Lavigne 16, Paradise Honors 0
Highland 35, Mesa 0
Lake Havasu 49, Copper Canyon 8
Mingus 7, Flagstaff 5
Monument Valley 28, page 6
Mountain View Marana 31, Vista Grande 0
Scottsdale Christian 28, Saguaro 3
St. John Paul II 17, Agua Fria 0
Thunderbird #40, Barry Goldwater #20
Tolleson 30, Westview 27
Mountain sky region ranking
School – WL WL
Prescott 2-0 7-0
Mingus 2-0 4-1
Coconino 1-1 5-2
Bradshaw Mountain 1-1 2-6
Flagstaff 0-2 2-5
Mayer 0-2 0-7
Note: AIA rankings will be announced on October 22nd
