Badgers Move to Semifinals with 10-0 Win Over Benjamin Franklin

Photo: 2 Allana Gilray scored the Badgers only touchdown

The Prescott Badgers flag football team pitched their eighth shutout of the season with a 10-0 quarterfinals win over the Benjamin Franklin Chargers.

Allana Gilray scored the only touchdown of the game in the first quarter and Delainey Courtney added a 24 yard field goal in the third for all the scoring.

The touchdown came after an opening possession by the Chargers when Prescott’s Daria Young picked off an Adlee Trujillo pass. The offense took over and Gilray finished the drive off with the touchdown. Gilray said, “That is a play that I score on a lot. I have an amazing team around me and we all work together to make it happen.” As for the defense, Gilray added, “Working together is what we do best. We made some adjustments early on and that really helped us out.”

Photo: 9 Maggie Maneely returns one of her two interceptions

Maggie Maneely picked off her first of two passes to get the Prescott offense back on the field. After a Badger turnover, the Chargers had a chance to tie the game came in the final minute of the first half, but the stingy Badgers defense led by big Ady Larson’s tackle at the four yard line on fourth downs stopped it right there.

Photo: 6 Brinkley Larson with an interception

Both teams continued to struggle on offense and a pass interception by Brinkley Larson closed out the third quarter. Larson said, “I just read the quarterback and just stepped in front of the passes. This was another big win for us and I am looking forward to playing again Wednesday night.”

Maneely picked off her second pass of the game at the Badger five turning away the chargers once again. Maneely said, “I think we are all working cohesively and our chemistry is great. The interceptions obviously help, but I think we are just continuing to work hard towards our goal.”

Photo: 1 Delainey Courtney with the pressure on Chargers quarterback Adlee Trujillo

Benjamin Franklin had one more opportunity to score late in the game but another interception by Larson put an end to that.

It was another close game for the Badgers as the level of competition gets better. Coach Ryan Hart said, “That is a good team over there and we just shut them out with one of the best quarterbacks too. Our team continues to plays hard and make the plays when we need them. The defense continues to work very hard and they know how and what to do and come up with big plays when we need them.”

The Badgers will host Coconino for a second time this season for an opportunity to play in the 4A championship game on Saturday. The first meeting resulted in a 17-14 win over the Panthers. About facing Coconino again Hart said, “I love it. They are coached well and are getting better. They will give us a real challenge and we will have to play good in order to get past them again.”

Game time at Prescott High School is Wednesday night at 6 pm.

PRESCOTT BADGERS 10, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHARGERS 7

Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T

Lee Williams 0 0 0 0 – 0

Prescott 7 0 3 0 – 10

Scoring Summary

P-Gilray 5 yard run (Courtney kick)

P-Courtney 24 yard Field Goal

SCOREBOARD

Prescott 10, Benjamin Franklin 0

Coconino 13, Mesquite 7

Scottsdale Christian 17, Heritage Academy Laveen 0