Badgers Win One For The Ages 31-28

Photo: 84 Eli Allen with the big catch to the one yard line in the final seconds with14 Kelso Witkowski and 0 Brody Bryant in coverage

Rarely are you able to see a game that will stand the test of time, but the game played last night between the Prescott Badgers and the Bradshaw Mountain Bears will surely do that. The Badgers rallied from an 11 point deficit in the final six minutes to pull out an amazing 31-28 win on the final play of the game in front of a festive overflow crowd at Bradshaw Mountain Stadium. 

Coming into the game, Prescott was trying to do something they had not done since 1988 when that team ran the table winning all ten games in the regular season, but stumbled in a quarterfinal playoff game ending that year at (11-1). This year’s undefeated season was very much at risk midway through the fourth quarter.

Photo: 2 Taye Evans tries to get away from 17 Kaidinh Nguyen Hilt and 44 Aaron Butler

Bradshaw Mountain looked like they had things in control with six minutes left they had just stopped the Badgers offense. Prescott elected to punt despite being down two scores. What would turn out to be two costly mistakes occurred that gave Prescott hope along with some much needed momentum. The offense had gone cold and the Bears had outscored the Badgers 21-0 since a minute left in the second quarter.

Photo:18 James Hefferin is locked in on his receiver as 55 Josiah Dykstra blocks

The ensuing punt was a high kick and the Bears punt returner seemed to be coming up for a fair catch but at the last second decided not to and the ball hit his foot. Kellan Hudak was right there to pick up the loose ball and run it down to the four yard line. The officials conferred because you cannot advance a muffed punt, meanwhile the Bears bench was arguing for a kick catch interference penalty. The officials gave Prescott the football with new life at the Bears 40. It was the first and only turnover by the Bears in the entire game and it was a real shot in the arm for the Badgers, giving them new life and more energy with the sudden chance of opportunity that lay ahead.

Photo: 10 Colton Sunshine with the first big catch on the final drive getting the Badgers down to the Bears 22 yard line while being covered by 0 Brody Bryant and 8 Kyle Silva

The Bradshaw Mountain defense came out and made a couple of stops, a play for no gain and a loss of nine. On third and 19, Hefferin found tight end Eli Allen on the near side who went up and pulled the ball in for a first down.

Photo: 2 Henry Hampton did all that he could do to bring in the pass

The Badgers scored to make it 28-23 when Hefferin looked right then fired the pass left to the Prescott sideline hitting Pace Norman in stride for an 8 yard touchdown.

Photo: 11 Bryce Coston gets crunched by 3 Trey Rudolph and 34 Malacai Solano

Bradshaw Mountain had too many people on defense for the extra point attempt and a player ran off the field by the goal post. The official was right on it and immediately threw the flag. The penalty placed the ball at the one and a half yard line, where Prescott decided that was close enough to go for two.  The two point conversion cut the deficit to 28-25 with 3:29 remaining.

Photo: 12 Caden Dabney added to his school record by kicking his 39th consecutive extra point in the fourth quarter for the Bears

The onside kick was recovered by the Bears and all they needed to do was pick up a first down to run out the clock. The Badger defense was up to the challenge and forced a three and out. Caden Dabney pinned the Badgers back to their own 15 yard line. Needing only a field goal to tie with 1:38 remaining and no timeouts, quarterback James Hefferin began a masterful drive to highlight his high school career. A couple of incomplete passes did not deter the junior, who took upon himself to run the ball to the far sideline where he picked up a first down to continue the drive.

Photo: 50 Menno Dow in pursuit of 2 Taye Evans

Hefferin continued to move the team down the field and ran for another first down and getting out of bounds to stop the clock as well. Colton Sunshine pulled in a double coverage catch just inside the 30 yard line for a first down with :25 left, but the clock started running as soon as the chains were set. Hefferin got everybody set and then fired a second strike in as many plays, this time to Eli Allen. 

Allen made a tremendous catch in double coverage being brought down at the Bradshaw Mountain one yard line with eleven seconds left. Hefferin quickly spiked the ball once everybody was set as the clock kept going to double zeros. The Bears and their fans briefly celebrated when the officials signaled that there would be two seconds remaining. It would come down to this one final play for everything the teams had worked so hard for.

Bradshaw Mountain called timeout to get their defense set, but it was the Badgers that would benefit when a one yard run up the middle ended the game with a 31-28 Prescott win.

It was the old Wide World of Sports intro, the thrill of victory for Prescott and the agony of defeat by Bradshaw Mountain. Two teams that left it all on the field literally. The Badgers ran over to celebrate with their fans while the Bears slowly walked over to the home side.

Senior Eli Allen has seen a lot in his Badger career and said, “My shoulder was hurting after I did something to it in the second quarter, but there was no way I was not going to play. I have been on the other end like they (the Bears) are now and I was going to do whatever I had to not to let that happen again. It was a great ball that gave me the chance and I came down with it.” About the significance of the win, Allen added, “This means everything. Winning here, staying unbeaten, we have worked very hard for this and we are not done yet. Can’t say enough about this team and the coaches. Going to really enjoy this one and look forward to making things happen in the playoffs.”

Junior quarterback James Hefferin said, “Credit to my O line. They do such a great job giving me the opportunity to get the passes off. Credit also to coach Collett.Trusting me to get out there and do the job that needed to be done.” About the final drive, “I tried very hard to keep my composure because I know if I get too rushed it is not going to be good. So I calmly stayed in the moment, knowing what was expected of me and did what I thought was right and it worked out great.”

Senior offensive lineman Blake Mcglory said, “This is amazing. I love it. It was a dog fight. We got a little out of sync but the offense came back. We are gritty and there is no giving up on this team and we proved that tonight.” 

Former head coach and now assistant coach Lou Beneitone said, “They asked me to come back this year and I thought we had a great group of freshmen last year and now many of them are on the varsity and getting playing time and making a difference. It has been fun being able to help out and provide some experience.” About being (10-0), “That is something we could never do when I was head coach all those years, but this group has worked very hard and done the things we have asked them to do so it is very rewarding being able to be a part of this tremendous season.”

The Badgers (10-0) are currently ranked at #3 and (7-3) Bradshaw Mountain is #4. The AIA playoff announcement will be Saturday. One thing is for sure is that both teams will get a first round bye and be home for their first round playoff games on November 13. This year the AIA has expanded the field to 24 teams. 

PRESCOTT BADGERS 31, BRADSHAW MOUNTAIN BEARS 28

Score by Quarters-        1        2        3       4    –    T

Prescott                         7       10       0      14   –    31

Bradshaw Mountain      7         7        7       7    –   28

Scoring Summary

P-Coston 12 yard run (Costes kick)

BM-Mendibles 26 yard fumble return (Dabney kick)

P-Costes 39 yard Field Goal

P-Coston 15 yard run (Costes kick)

BM-Dabney 20 yard pass from Evans (Dabney kick)

BM-Evans 3 yard run (Dabney kick)

BM-Ross-centers 24 yard pass from Evans (Dabney kick)

P-Norman 8 yard pass from Hefferin (Hanna run)

P-Hanna 1 yard run (No attempt)

GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS

School- 4A Rank (*)       W-L       W-L

Prescott (3)                     6-0       10-0

Bradshaw Mountain (4)  5-1         7-3

Lee Williams  (10)           3-2         7-2

Coconino (20)                 2-3         3-6

Mingus                            2-3         2-6

Mohave                           1-5         1-8

Flagstaff                          0-5         0-9

(*)-AIA Division 4 Rank as of October 28

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCOREBOARD

THURSDAY SCORES

Prescott 31, Bradshaw Mountain 28

Copper Canyon 49, Carl Hayden 6

Marcos de Niza 36, Tempe 30

Mica Mountain 30, Sahuaro 0

Pueblo 75, Empire 0

Sahuarita 48, Cholla 6

Youngker 49, Deer Valley 28