Photo: Rianna Aguilar reaches across the goal line for the game winning touchdown in the Badgers 17-14 win
Prescott quarterback Rianna Aguilar split the defense on a 4 yard run to give the Badgers a very hard fought 17-14 win over the Flagstaff Eagles. The game had a little of everything including a call by an official that very well could have ruined the integrity of this game.
Photo: Maggie Maneely literally gets tackled at the end of this play
It was a battle of the top two teams in the Grand Canyon Region to see who would claim first place. The Eagles beat Mohave 49-7 the night before and this game was the second of three straight days of games for them.
Prescott was on the verge of scoring twice in the opening quarter but a penalty called a touchdown back and a pass interception by Ryleigh Conklin at the Eagles two yard line kept the game scoreless through the opening quarter.
Photo: 5 Lucy Zembick gets the tackle of Flagstaff quarterback Cailee Culwell
The Badgers put a scoring drive together and went on top 7-0 when quarterback Rylee Hart connected with Rianna Aguilar on 29 yard pass play to start the second quarter. Mallory Walsh added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Flagstaff responded when Emma Tewes got behind the defense and quarterback Cailee Culwell threw a dart to her and she went the final 45 yards in what was a 78 yard touchdown pass.
The Badgers took advantage of a short punt by the Eagles at the end of the half with a 32 yard Mallory Walsh field goal giving Prescott a 10-7 lead at the break.
Prescott had another scoring threat stopped when the Eagles intercepted another pass at the Flagstaff 10.
A huge controversial call, actually a really bad call at the time by an official in the third quarter, had the local faithful and the Badgers up in arms when the Flagstaff quarterback threw a pass to the near sideline to Donna Carrasco-Gonzales. Defensive back Brinkley Larson pulled the flags and the entire belt came off. The receiver slowed down as did the other players thinking the play was over, then decided to keep going and went into the end zone. The official ruled it a touchdown then debated for a few minutes with his colleagues and concluded it was a touchdown by saying that Larson had pulled the flag before the catch. Video replay obtained clearly shows the flags coming off after the catch. Questioning the call also resulted in an unsportsmanlike penalty on a Badger coach.
The third pass interception by Flagstaff in the game was pulled in by Talia Call to close out the third quarter.
Photo: 4 Olivia Raber brings the pressure into the Eagles backfield.
The Eagles were stopped by the Badger D at the Prescott 24 to keep the home team within one score. Unable to score, the Badgers needed one final stop and they got it.
The Badger defense stopped Flagstaff at the Prescott 34 yard line with 2:49 left to play. Aguilar went back in at quarterback and connected with Addy Brandon on a big pass play getting the Badgers into Eagles territory to the 34.
Brandon said, “I knew in that moment I had to make a big play. It was a big play for me because I don’t get a lot of passes thrown my way. I am so excited I was able to do it and especially on senior night.”
Aguilar started to her right and then went left for the final four yards and the game winning score. Aguilar slung the ball up in the air in her excitement and was called for a celebration penalty. Walsh made the 30 yard extra point for a three point lead.
Aguilar had this to say about the game winning play. “I saw a group of 10 girls running to one side and I went to the other. We actually ran a play like that in practice. So I did it and stuck the ball out and it worked.” About the game, “There was definitely a lot of ups and downs of emotions but we go through it. We controlled our controllables.”
The Eagles were left with all three timeouts and just 24 seconds to work with. Three plays later the Badgers celebrated. Prescott overcame three turnovers and a most horrendous egregious call.
Maggie Maneely said, “There were a few things that we could have controlled better and those we couldn’t and we got mad. There were a lot of emotions going because we were down some and not connecting on offense and defense, but props to our freshman quarterback coming up this week after an injury. I am really really proud of her. I want her to know that and am going to go tell her after this. It was a great game overall. I think we really performed at the end and we have been doing that recently. They are a really good team and I am happy we came out on top tonight. It was a good game for sure.”
Prescott (4-0) and (11-2) overall will travel to play Estrella Foothills on Monday at 6pm. After their third game in three days, Flagstaff (3-1), (10-2),will host Mingus on Tuesday.
PRESCOTT BADGERS 17, FLAGSTAFF EAGLES 14
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Flagstaff 0 7 7 0 – 14
Prescott 0 10 0 7 – 17
Scoring Summary
P-Aguilar 29 yard pass from Walsh (Walsh kick)
F-Tewes 78 yard pass from Culwell (Maloney kick)
P-Walsh 32 yard Field Goal
F-Carrasco-Gonzales 47 yard pass from Culwell (Maloney kick)
P-Aguilar 4 yard run (Walsh kick)
GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS
School- W-L W-L
Prescott 4-0 11-2
Flagstaff 3-1 10-2
Mingus 2-1 9-2
Bradshaw Mountain 2-2 5-4
Coconino 1-2 7-3
Lee Williams 0-2 5-2
Mohave 0-4 1-7
SCOREBOARD
Prescott 17, Flagstaff 14
Bradshaw Mountain 10, Lee Williams 7
Crismon 56, Dysart 0
Eastmark 21, ALA-Queen Creek 0
Hamilton 49, Perry 0
Highland Prep West 12, Mayer 6
La Joya Community 6, Youngker 3
Mountain Ridge 33, Pinnacle 14
