Badgers Advance With 14-6 Win Over St. Mary’s

Photo:  Izzy Ramos with her second quarter touchdown catch

The Prescott Badgers wrapped up their final home game with a 14-6 win over the St. Mary’s Knights in the first round of the Division 4A playoffs. It was a bookend of losses to the Badgers for the Knights as they fell to Prescott in the season opener 17-3.

The Knights picked up an initial first down to start the game but the Badger defense put an end to that quickly forcing a punt.

Photo: Quarterback Rylee Hart under pressure

Rylee Hart came out firing the ball and completed her first five passes, moving the team down the field 62 yards on five plays capped off with a short touchdown pass to Addy Brandon. Brinkley Larson added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 6:12 in the first quarter.

Photo: Olivia Butler collides with St. Mary’s quarterback Sofia Leivian with 21 Kaylin Pinarelli moving in quickly

The Badger defense forced a three and Prescott had the ball in St. Mary’s territory again but SM Kimber Milstead picked off a Hart pass to end the threat early in the second quarter. Hart said, “I love playing St. Mary’s. They are such a fun team to play. We just executed early and that turned out to be what we needed. Our defense played so good tonight.” About coming off the one point loss at Flagstaff, “It was definitely something to learn from. It was a tough loss but I know we have to come out and play better.” About playing the number one team. “I am looking forward to that. It will be a good game and we will have to play our best to beat them.” Hart finished 20-32-3 for 189 yards with two touchdowns.

The Knights, directed by quarterback Sofia Leivian moved the ball using some option plays but stalled, having to settle for a 30 yard field goal by Alaina Velasquez with 5:24 left to cut their deficit to 7-3.

The Badgers offense got back to work and this time went all the way down the field to go on top 14-3 with a minute left in the half when Hart found Izzy Ramos. The junior receiver said, “We wanted to play for our seniors since it was their last time here. Now we get to play the number one team and I think if we stay positive and play hard I think we can win it.”

After a turnover on downs, the Knights were hoping to get closer but Brinkley Larson came up with an interception with a minute left to close out the first half highlights.

On top 14-3, Prescott gave St. Mary’s a golden opportunity to score when a second pass was picked off but once again the Badger defense would not budge and the Knights had to settle for a 22 yard field goal to get within 14-6 with nine plus minutes left in the third quarter.

Photo: Lucy Zembik goes up for the last minute interception to seal the win for the Badgers

Neither team could score after that as both defenses stood tall. Every time the Knights would seem like they had a little momentum the Prescott defense would come up with a stop or an interception. Pickoffs by Olivia Butler and Lucy Zembik on back to back St. Mary’s possessions ended the game giving the Badgers their ninth win of the season.

Zembik said, “There were not a lot of middle plays tonight so I went outside, saw the ball coming and jumped and I was able to come up with it.” About playing number one on Saturday, “I am really looking forward to that. Sometimes you have to play the best to be the best and we will go out and do whatever we need to for a win.”

Halle Terelak-Foster led Prescott with 8 receptions for 96 yards and also led in flag pulls with six.

Photo: Coach Ryan Hart with Kaylin Pinarelli and Rylee Hart with the final seconds ticking off the clock in the 14-6 win

Coach Ryan Hart said,”I can’t say enough about how our defense played. They kept a good team out of the end zone tonight and also our first game that was huge. Our offense got us what we needed and we are happy to close it out here with a win.” About facing the top seed in ALA-Gilbert North, Hart said, “This is a tremendous opportunity for us. I love it so much. I told the girls we earned the right to play the number one team tonight and to just soak up the experience. Football is a funny sport where anybody can beat anybody on any given Saturday.”

For the Badgers let’s hope this is one of those Saturdays.

The Badgers (9-4) will make the trip to Gilbert for their Saturday matchup with the Eagles of ALA-Gilbert North. Game time is 2pm.

Only one upset to report as #10 Crismon made the trip up north count with a 21-14 win over #7 Flagstaff.

PRESCOTT BADGERS 14, ST. MARY’S KNIGHTS 6

Score by Quarters-   1       2        3        4    –     T

St. Mary’s                  0       3        3        0    –     6

Prescott                     7       7        0        0    –    14

Scoring Summary

P-Brandon 1 yard pass from Hart (Larson kick)

SM-Velasquez 30 yard Field Goal

P-Ramos 9 yard pass from Hart (Larson kick)

SM-Velasquez 22 yard Field Goal

DIVISION 4A PLAYOFFS-FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

Prescott 14, St. Mary’s 6

ALA-Gilbert North 34, Lee Williams 7

Eastmark 28, Barry Goldwater 0

Salpointe Catholic 45, ALA-Queen Creek 0

Coconino 42, Cactus Shadows 7

Mingus 49, Deer Valley 6

Mesquite 21, Thunderbird 3

Crismon 21, Flagstaff 14

DIVISION 4A PLAYOFFS-QUARTERFINALS, Saturday, 2pm

#8 Prescott (9-4) at #1 ALA-Gilbert North (13-0)

#5 Mingus (13-1) at #4 Coconino (12-1)

#10 Crismon (10-4) at #2 Eastmark (11-2)

#6 Mesquite (14-1) at #3 Salpointe Catholic (11-1)