Photo: The Prescott Badgers after their win over Coconino
The Prescott Badgers came up short in the inaugural 4A Flag Football championship game to the St. Mary’s Knights 10-7 at Chandler High School.
The game was scoreless till towards the end of the first half when the Knights took the lead on a three yard pass play from quarterback Giahni Ruiz to Gwen Carter.
The Badgers quickly responded to tie the game with a perfect execution of the ole hook and ladder play, when quarterback Maggie Maneely threw a 20 yd pass to Brinkley Larson, who pitched it to Aubrey Kitahata, who raced the final 34 yards with seven seconds left in the half. Delaney Courtney added the extra point and the game was knotted at seven.
In the third quarter, the Badgers got another turnover when Maneely picked off her second pass of the day at the Prescott 25. A three and out gave the Knights the ball back at their own 49.
On a third and goal at the Badgers 23, Ruiz hit Soroko in the end zone for an apparent touchdown, but a holding penalty negated the play as the clock ran out in the third quarter.
Replaying third and goal, now at the 33, the pass was intercepted by Maneely at the Badgers five, giving her the hat trick on interceptions. The offense struggled again, forcing another punt, giving the Knights the ball near midfield with under ten minutes to play.
The Badgers got the ball back at their own 25 with 7:25 left. St Mary’s picked off a pass and returned it to the Prescott 20. The defense held and a 23 yard field goal attempt missed wide left keeping the score at 7-7 with 5:30 remaining.
Prescott started at their own eight yard line, but failed to move the ball and had to punt back to the Knights. A good return and an illegal use of hands penalty set St. Mary’s up at the Badger 18 yard line with two minutes left.
On third down Ruiz ran the ball to the one yard line setting up a crucial fourth and goal with under a minute remaining. The Knights elected to kick the ball and this time Ava Gonzales kicked it through the uprights for a 10-7 lead with fifty seconds left.
The Badgers attempted to get the ball down the field, looking to at least tie the game, but simply ran out of time.
The Knights take the 4A crown and finish at (14-0), while the Badgers had an amazing season ended with a (15-1) record.
Maggie Maneely finished the season with the most pass interceptions in the state with 22. Since there are only two seniors on the team, the Badgers look poised to contend for the title next year as well.
ST MARY’S KNIGHTS 10, PRESCOTT BADGERS 7
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Prescott 0 7 0 0 – 7
St. Mary’s 0 7 0 3 – 10
Scoring Summary
SM-Carter 3 yard pass from Ruiz (Gonzales kick)
P- Kitahawa 54 yard touchdown pass from Maneely (Courtney kick) 54
SM-Carter 18 yard Field Goal
