Mountain Pointe was in an awkward situation in the semifinal match against Desert Ridge, trailing at halftime for the first time all season.
Struggling to keep the ball early on, Mountain Pointe lost the ball due to a couple fumbles. The Pride had only one offensive play in the first quarter. Desert Ridge took advantage of Pointe’s turnovers, striking a field goal and adding another one on early in the second to take a 6-0 lead.
Mountain Pointe responded quickly with a touchdown just 1:10 later when Antonio Hinojosa found Jalen Brown for a 38-yard score, taking their first lead of the game at 7-6. However the Jaguars weren’t done yet, scoring another field goal to lead 9-7 at the half.
After the break, Mountain Pointe’s offense still could not find its momentum, only scoring two field goals in the third. The Pride’s defense, stepped up, keeping Desert Ridge off the scoreboard for the rest of the game.
Finally in the fourth, Mountain Pointe found the endzone again when Wesley Payne rushed the ball in from 14 yards out. Payne finished with 11 carries for 70 yards. Junior Paul Lucas helped the senior running back out with 12 carries his own for 109 yards and a touchdown.
The game ended with the Pride leading 27-9.
Now Mountain Pointe, ranking 1st in Arizona and 8th in the DigitalSports National Football Rankings, advances the state championship game to face Hamilton. Earlier this season, Mountain Point defeated the Huskies 37-27.
The two Arizona powerhouses face off on November 30.
Key Players:
Antonio Hinojosa- 5-9 for 106 yards, 1 TD
Wesley Payne- 11 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
Paul Lucas- 12 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD
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