Badgers Ready To Resume Second Half

Photo: Quarterback Rylee Hart continues to improve during her sophomore season

“It seems like a long time, and it has [been]”, said Prescott Badgers flag football coach Ryan Hart. The Badgers have only played two games this month and head into the most challenging part of their schedule beginning with an undefeated top ranked Coconino team. The Badgers will host the Panthers on Monday at 6pm in what will be a playoff type atmosphere. Prescott and Coconino have had some close battles and this one is looking much the same. The Badgers won twice in 2024, both at home, by scores of 17-14 and a semifinal game 28-21. Last year Prescott won 20-14 in Flagstaff.

After that big game, it does not get any easier as the Badgers  travel to face another unbeaten team in Flagstaff.

Hart said, “Not playing any games in two weeks and having limited personnel at practice during fall break basically means we will not be game ready, but I think it will come back quickly for us. We have so much talent that will rise to the surface which we will need in order to beat Coconino. That is a very good team and they will give us all we can handle.”

Looking to move forward and upwards is quarterback Rylee Hart. “I have been getting some good work in and am looking forward to seeing what we can do next. We have so many talented players that I can throw the ball to and our defense plays so hard and has done a great job so far. Personally, I want to be more present now. The first half of our season flew by and I want to get to know our players better. I think the more together you can be, the better you are as a team.” 

In their last game, the Badgers blew out Dysart 44-0. That was a good turnaround after the tough road loss at Mingus. Rylee Hart threw for 207 yards and 5 touchdowns. Halle Terelak-Foster caught 9 passes for 168 yards and had three touchdowns. Ella Pifer and Brinkley Larson also had TDs. Terelak-Foster, Izzy Ramos, and Ellie Richards each came up with an interception.

Coach Hart said about that game, “We were able to execute better on both sides of the ball and lean on each other to be accountable and aggressive. Credit to the amazing coaching staff we have. Good kids on this team with a lot of appreciation for being able to play this sport and continue to improve.”

Five of the top ten teams in Division 4A are in the Grand Canyon Region. “That says a lot about our region, how challenging it is and if you are able to survive it, you will be rewarded with a great playoff seed. That is what we are playing for and we will need to play our best against every team we come up against,” said Hart.

Game time on Monday versus Coconino is 6pm.

GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS

School                    W-L      W-L

Coconino                 2-0       8-0

Mingus                     2-1       8-1

Flagstaff                   0-0       6-0

Lee Williams             0-0       4-0

Prescott                    0-1       4-2

Bradshaw Mountain  0-1       3-5

Mohave                     0-1       0-5

DIVISION 4A RANKINGS-TOP 10

#1 Coconino                   8-0  

#2 Mesquite                    6-0

#3 ALA-Gilbert North      6-0

#4 Salpointe Catholic     5-0

#5 Eastmark                   3-1

#6 Flagstaff                     6-0

#7 Lee Williams              4-0

#8 Mingus                       8-1

#9 Prescott                     4-2

#10 Goodyear                 4-0