Photo: Adam Lloyd brings down running back Nathan Johannes
Quarterback Uriah Tenette threw 298 yards with three touchdowns, and rushed for another to lead the Prescott Badgers to an exciting 42-41 victory over the #7 ranked Northwest Christian Crusaders in Phoenix.
Tenette said, “We knew we didn’t play very well last week and we had a good week of practice to prepare for this game. They are a good team and they beat us last year, so we knew what to expect from them.” In regards to his touchdown passes Tenette said, “I was able to get more time in the pocket tonight and see our receivers getting separation in their secondary. This was a very good win for us and we just need to keep getting better each week.”
Photo: 21 Nathan Johannes gets taken down by 32 Brody Hanna, 17 Trace Overton, with 53 Frankie Jaume coming in for the finish
The Badgers went up 7-0 on a two yard touchdown run by Isaac Briseno. Johann Gundermann, who has made all sixteen of his extra point attempts, split the uprights for a good start for the visitors.
The Crusaders showed some of their offensive potential with a touchdown a few minutes later to pull within 7-6, as Brooks Martin scored on a 2 yard run, but the extra point attempt by Cameron Main was blocked.
Photo: Luke Mason looks to get past 15 Devon Helmer
After a lengthy drive Tenette ran the ball in for 2 yard score, and a 14-6 Badger lead to close out the first quarter.
Northwest Christian pulled within 14-12 on a 21 yard run up the middle by Nathan Johannes, then a two point play pass from quarterback Laki Wallwork to Devon Helmer knotted the score at 14.
The score remained tied 14-14, when Prescott capitalized on a blown coverage in the defensive secondary. Tenette aired out a pass 55 yards to Johann Gundermann, who ran past the defensive back and caught the ball back pedaling into the end zone, with just five seconds left on the clock, for a 21-14 Badgers lead.
Seven touchdowns would be scored in the second half in what was becoming a good ole western shootout.
The Crusaders took the second half kickoff and marched down the field to tie the game at 21 when Bobby Busch broke the plain of the goal line from a yard out.
Photo: 1 Uriah Tenette looks down field after getting past 77 Christian Fry
Tenette threw his second TD pass to Josiah Peoples on a 44 yard scoring strike to put the Badgers back on top 28-21.
Northwest Christian came right back again and scored on a two yard run by Dre Bair to tie the game at 28 at the end of the third quarter.
The Badgers went to the air for a third touchdown pass from Tenette when he connected on a second consecutive TD pass to Peoples on a 72 yard play to put Prescott back on top 35-28 with ten minutes left.
The Crusaders followed with another touchdown run by Bair who scored up the middle from 4 yards to tie the game at 35 with six and half minutes remaining.
Prescott took more time off the clock on their next drive to get the go ahead score in the two minutes left. Adam Lloyd went off tackle from 4 yards out to give the Badgers led 42-35. Lloyd said, “The offense was making plays tonight and we knew we could score and had plenty of time to do so. The line did a great job opening up holes for us.”
Northwest Christian had plenty of time and the Badgers defense put up a good fight, but the Crusaders converted a pair of fourth down plays to keep their final drive alive. The home team was able to score with just twenty seconds left when Bair weaved his way off tackle 9 yards diving into the end zone to pull Northwest Christian within one. The Crusaders kept the offense on the field for a two point attempt, and the Badgers called a quick timeout out to make sure they had the right personnel on the field.
Throughout the game Northwest Christian had success running between the tackles, but on this play they elected to run a sweep to the home side, but the Badgers defense was ready. Gundermann and Tenette got outside to string the play out and Bair ran out of room being forced out of bounds at the one yard line.
Tenette had seven tackles and Gundermann had two, but the second one was by far the biggest of the two, said, “We knew it came down to that last play and we just did what we had to do to get the W.” Tenette added, “It all came down to that final play.”
Briseno, who rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown said, “We prepared a lot and watched a lot of film in getting ready for this game. We were all ticked off after that game last week and that is how we approached practice. We brought that mind set out here and took care of business.”
Jacob Chamberlain, rushed for 33 yards and had a pair of tackles, said, “I really liked playing on the grass tonight. This field is in great shape and it helped to be able to plant and change directions. I thought our line did a good job and our defense came up big when we had to. Overall we had a great game and we needed to play good in order to win tonight.”
Northwest Christian falls to (2-1) and will play next Friday at Peoria. The Badgers (2-1), will host undefeated Vista Grande on Friday at 7pm
PRESCOTT BADGERS 42, NORTHWEST CHRISTAIN CRUSADERS 41
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Prescott 14 7 7 14 – 42
Northwest Christian 6 8 14 13 – 41
Scoring Summary
P-Briseno 2 yard run (Gundermann kick)
NC-Martin 2 yard pass from Wallwork (Kick blocked)
P-Tenette 2 ayrd run (Gundermann kick)
NC-Johannes 21 yard run (Helmer pass from Wallwork)
P-Gundermann 55 yard pass from Tenette (Gundermann kick)
NC-Busch 1 yard run (Main kick)
P-Peoples 44 yard pass from Tenette (Gundermann kick)
NC-Bair 2 yard run (Main kick)
P-Peoples 72 yard pass from Tenette (Gundermann kick)
NC-Bair 4 yard run (Main kick)
P-Lloyd 4 yard run (Gundermann kick)
NC-Bair 8 yard run (Run failed)
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Bradshaw Mountain 24, Moon Valley 0
Maryvale 42, Chino Valley 14
ALA-West Foothills 7, Peoria 6
Arcadia 27, Benjamin Franklin 26
AZ College Prep 62, Estrella Foothills 28
Bagdad 50, Williams 0
Barry Goldwater 45, Apache Junction 40
Blue Ridge 33, Mingus 6
Buckeye 50, Glendale 21
Buena 49, Catalina Foothills 7
Canyon Del Oro 21, Desert View 6
Coconino 44, Payson 7
Combs 57, Coolidge 0
Desert Sunrise 49, Copper Canyon 13
Eastmark 51, Mesquite 0
El Capitan 66, Mayer 6
Flagstaff 34, Winslow 7
Flowing Wells 34, Amphitheater 6
Independence 48, Alhambra 0
Mica Mountain 35, Sabino 0
Mogollon 53, Superior Jr/Sr 26
Mohave 33, Lake Havasu 20
Snowflake 42, Show Low 0
St. Mary’s 43, North 14
Thunderbird 41, Apollo 7
Vista Grande 26, St. Joseph’s (Santa Maria,CA) 24
Westview 27, La Joya Community 23
Wickenburg 24, Lee Williams 20
THURSDAY SCORES
ALA-Queen Creek 21, ALA-Gilbert North 0
Deer Valley 28, Greenway 25
Dysart 50, Paradise Honors 48, OT
Hayden 59, Joseph City 6
Marcos de Niza 54, Fountain Hills 27
