10/17/2009 12:09:00 AM Prep Football Roundup: Prescott High's region win streak snapped
The Daily Courier
Prescott's 16-game region winning streak over three seasons finally came to an end on Friday in the most heartbreaking fashion.
Visiting Glendale Apollo (7-0, 3-0) stole a 20-18 victory from the Badgers on a 42-yard Hail Mary with four seconds left in the game to take control of the Western Sky Region.
Prescott falls to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in region. It had won four in a row.
"It was just heart-wrenching is what it was," PHS coach Lou Beneitone said.
The Badgers rallied from a 14-3 deficit and took an 18-14 lead with under a minute to go on a pass from Cole Johnson to Aaron Gronwald.
But the Hawks came back and pulled off the miracle play between three Prescott defenders.
"They know they played a great ballgame," Beneitone said of his team. "It was two good teams battling it out but we still have confidence. They're hurting like crazy because they knew they had this game and they could have continued on their streak. They felt it was luck.
"It was a Hail Mary, lucky play. When people make plays like that, it's not that you're a bad team, it's the luck fell their way."
Prescott got a 35-yard field goal from Andy Kling, who was promoted this week from the junior varsity.
Brian Scates added the other touchdown and a two-point conversion.
The Badgers visit Glendale Independence next week with three games to go in the regular season.
Mayer 56, Ash Fork 0
Tony Warburton threw four touchdown passes and David Atkerson had a team-high 13 tackles in the Wildcats' blowout road win.
Blake Ambrose was on the receiving end of three of Warburton's touchdown passes.
Demitre Campbell had the other TD catch for Mayer (5-3, 4-2).
Tre Johnson had 56 yards on three carries with two TDs. MHS teammate Nathan Saucedo had five rushes for 50 yards and a score.
Ambrose finished with 10 tackles. Alex Sapien had nine tackles.
Justin Allen had a sack.
Next up for Mayer is the Class 1A state tournament on Oct. 23. Opponent and site TBA.
Chino Valley 40, Parker 8
Leon Baskerville had two rushing touchdowns and Ryan Middleton returned an interception for a score and ran one in for the visiting Cougars.
Lance Milsap also had a touchdown.
"This one should put us in the playoffs because we'll end up third in the West (Region)," CVHS coach Bob David said.
Bobby Smith and Andy Adams had two sacks apiece in the win.
The Cougars (4-4, 4-2) will have a bye next week, then close out the regular season at home on Oct. 30 versus Holbrook.
Bagdad 28, Phx. Valley Lutheran 22
Zach Loveall threw for two TDs and rushed for two more - including the game-winner with less than a minute left in regulation - in the host Sultans' regular-season finale.
Bagdad (6-2, 4-0) earned a first-round bye in the 1A state tournament by winning the West Region title.
Loveall's touchdown passes went to Jon Irwin and Dillon Jauregui.
The score was tied 22-22 late in the fourth when Loveall came up big.
He capped a nine-play, 68-yard drive when he scored from 27 yards out on a quarterback sweep.
He sealed the win on Valley Lutheran's next possession when he picked off a pass.
Jimmy Hengtes had 12 tackles for Bagdad.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, October 23, 2009
Article comment by:
a prescott varsity cheerleader
Ya after submitting that comment I felt like the part about the fans could be misunderstood. I didn't mean for it at all to be rude or derogatory and I wasn't judging the fans. Honestly I love them! I just get annoyed when people wail on their own team whether it be the coaches, players, cheerleaders etc, and I've been hearing alot of trash talking lately about the team sadly. So i just wanted to apologize to anyone who took that comment the wrong way. Sorry!
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Intheknow
First off, to the young lady...careful, realize that you are being judgmental to the very fans you are supposed to "lead", if they weren't there because of derogatory remarks from cheerleaders, who would you be "leading"? Prescott made two big plays when they needed to, but were mistake-prone and couldn't move the ball all night. Anyone have the final stats? I imagine, after having played a great dominating game (in my opinion, not affiliated with either school) and I am sure, before that play, they felt like they were going to get robbed of their victory.
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Article comment by:
a prescott varsity cheerleader
Steve, I myself am a Prescott High School cheerleader and yes sometimes we make mistakes but we fix them pretty fast, and there is not one person who hasn't made a mistake or messed up in their life. Also we are down on the track yelling and cheering on our boys for the entire extent of the game, we aren't sitting on our butts up in the stands wrapped up in a warm blanket and only yelling when we score so please don't be so judgmental. Also as someone already said we are not allowed to watch the game, if we were watching the field we wouldn't have been doing our job. Our duty as cheerleaders is to try to lead the crowd and support our team and we do our best. When you aren't allowed to pay attention to the game, it's hard to know what's going on obviously! Another thing I remember we were not yelling defense but the cheer we were on was a neutral cheer. Neither offense nor defense so yes it had to do with the game seeing that it was something to do with our school name/mascot, colors, or winning. Just try to be less critical especially when you haven't experienced something yourself. Also may i add that i think our boys did absolutely fabulous and the coaches probably did what they thought best, and hopefully we can beat Independence this Friday!
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Article comment by:
Football Parent
Bottom line folks, that was an amazing game. Both teams played their hearts out. Yes it always seems that the referees miss calls and the time keeper misses seconds but the fact is this is high school football not the NFL. As for the pass during the last seconds of the game, there is a reason they call them Hail Mary's, sometimes you get them and some times you give them. As for the young gentlemen throwing his helmet and knocking over the table, trust me, he answered for it and will learn from it. Don't forget football is an agressive/violent game and emotions can and do run high. The only thing that I can't understand is why Prescottonians do not come out in force for the home games. Even if you don't have kids playing, cheering, or in the band, come out and see some great athletes from here in Prescott as well as the opposing teams and cheer on home town team. Nothing like Friday Night Lights for entertainment.
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Ooops! In my last post I meant to say 8 feet, not 8 yards...thought it might have been 6 feet.
LK from Glendale
Posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Hello Prescott Fans. I was actually a resident of Prescott during my childhood but Saturday night was there cheering on the Apollo Hawks as my two sons play for them. I thought the game was a very good one. Your players, #8 and #9 are spectacular. Our defense was tough that night...you have to admit. I have read some complaints by your fans on the refs and I have some too! All of us Hawk fans were shocked at how blatant the clock operator was in starting and stopping the clock to the Badger's advantage...especially in the second half. Also, we saw the guy manning the chain scoot it towards the first down more than once. In talking over the last past days with other school parents, I have learned that everyone from Phoenix has come to accept this kind of 'help' from the refs. Wow! Tell me that isn't true. Also, many of you have stated that the last 4 second throw was 'lucky'. Well guess what? That quarterback of ours is a sophmore and only 15 years old. Nicest kid you want to meet and a super humble guy and hard worker. The receiver happens to be his cousin and they practice together a lot. So perhaps luck had a little to do with it but if you were there, you would have noticed that you had two defenders on him and he still drug both of them 8 yards and then into the end zone. So good luck Prescott with the rest of your season. Perhaps we will see you at the playoffs. And PS, talk to those refs, will you?
LK from Glendale
Posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Article comment by:
Smith
I just have one comment for Steve. To me you seem to be out of touch with exactly how the game of football has evolved in the past 50 years or so. The players, outside of Peyton Manning, have not called the plays at ANY level (high school, college, or pro) since Johnny Unitas retired. To think that you would let a teenager call his own plays leads me to believe you haven't seen much high school football, or any football for that matter.
Posted: Monday, October 19, 2009
Article comment by:
john
To no name- 79 won't be punished for his actions, i don't think phs knows discipline, certainly not the football team
Posted: Monday, October 19, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
great game on both sides, but what about number 79 who threw his helmet 20 yrds and then went and flipped the water table, isnt he a captain and a d-1 recruit? haha i dont think so, that was the worst behavore i have ever seen from a high school football player, and i hope he his punished, or even kicked off the team for his outragious acctions!!
Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Article comment by:
To Steve.... from a Badger Parent
I am a Badger alumni and the parent of 2 students at PHS, a football player (JV) & a Varsity Cheerleader. I want to let you know that the Cheerleaders... much to mine & my daughter's disagreement are NOT permitted to turn & watch the game?!?! CRAZY?!? Absolutely! But they are "required" to do a minimum # of cheers, resulting in chant after chant, only paying attention to whether the team is offense or defense. I agree 110% & think the point of cheerleading is that they are to "lead" the crowd in cheering on the team! But, be easy on them, they take alot of heat! They are there supporting the team EVERYDAY! Not just Friday nights & they have a very strict coach who controls their every move! Or Else!
In closing.... the Badger football team took the lead with a GREAT play and they got beat with a GREAT play! It is disappointing for sure but thats what make a good game GREAT!
Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Article comment by:
steve
Chris, thank you for the info! Many people around me were saying that once the players foot was in the endzone it was an automatic touchback. And two more rants. One, the fans. Why did any of you pay $5. to get in when all most you did was sit and shoot the breeze. The Badgers marched down the field and got a very hard earned touchdown. Me and several others stood up and cheered and when I look over most everyone was just sitting down talking to one another! Talk about lack of support for the team! And the cheer leaders, when Apollo was driving down the field in the last 40 or so seconds they were in their own la la land not even paying attention to what the Badgers were doing! So the crowd, yes they FINALLY woke up, stood up for the team and started yelling defense, defense! The cheer leaders stopped their chant that had nothing to do with what was happening on the field and FINALLY turned around to FINALLY cheer on the defense! Maybe most everyone was drinking what the refs had that night!
Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Steve
Thank you Chris for the info! Many people around me were saying once the players foot was in the endzone it's an automatic touchback.
Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Article comment by:
chris
steve, having a foot in the end zone means nothing, the balls makes it a touch back... just like the ball crossing makes a touchdown. how about rushing 5 guys on the last play, it worked the rest of the night,bad coaching as usual at phs
Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Article comment by:
steve
Before I start my rant, let me say that the young men on this Badger football team were just awesome last night, period! Now my 1st rant, the refs in this game, did anyone give them a sobriety test? This was the most lethargic bunch of refs I have seen since the near riot of 3 years past! We should have had someone run out and give them all a cup of coffee! A runner obviously stopped and tackled and 3 seconds later a whistle. One time during a kickoff there was no whistle! And I have never seen so many "offical timeouts" in a game. I started calling them Apollo rest breaks! On a kickoff that resulted in a Apollo touchdown drive, when the ball carrier had his foot in the endzone wasn't that supposed to be a touchback? Penalties, can't say to much here, what the refs didn't catch here were made up by penalties made by our team that were not "caught". Coaching, a double reverse? On a 6-0 team? And not tried before to my knowledge? Letting Brian Scates (who was great as always) throw the ball? Why didn't they just do what was working the whole game? Sitting in front of the defensive coach we could here him yelling at his squad to pump them up. Make HIM the coach! Beneitone was getting upset at his players when a play HE called didn't work! And how many seconds or minutes did Beneitone waste by calling EVERY play?! With less than 2 minutes left precious seconds were wasted by the quarterback running over to the sideline to get a play. Yes it did result in a touch down for us but come on! Let your players make the calls, then if they are not doing the job the the coaches can step in and start calling the plays. And did someone have to nudge the time keeper from time to time? Stopping the clock on several occasions when it wasn't supposed to be, which resulted in the refs offical Apollo rest break timeouts? Great game by the Badger team and except for the noted defensive coach the coaching staff should take responsibility for the loss by there sometimes dumb play calling. The team is supposed to go DOWN the field not backwards.
Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Badger Fan & former Badger
Valiant Effort Last Night! Badgers you have nothing to be a shamed of. Two great football teams and some times one gets a break and last night Apollo did. Keep your head up and remember the BAdger Pride you represent. You not only represent yourself, your school and the is community, yo represent every badger football player that had the guts to step on Bill Shepard Field! Even though some people specifically the writers in this paper do not extend their respect for you! Those who have been there will always respect you!
