By Zach Alvira
Head of Content
Hamilton’s flag football team is out to make a statement this season.
The Huskies fell in the 6A semifinals last year, the first sanctioned season under the Arizona Interscholastic Association. They felt they were one of, if not the best team all year in 2023. But they fell short of expectations.
Returning multiple starters and bringing in a freshman phenom at quarterback in Marlie Phillips this year, Hamilton knew its early season matchups would be a chance to prove itself as a contender yet again. So far, the Huskies have done that as the No. 9 ranked team in the country according to USA Today. And they took that a step further Saturday by shutting out defending 5A champion Campo Verde 17-0 to win the Arizona Honor Bowl championship.
"I don't think we're anywhere near where we should be," Hamilton coach Matt Stone said. "We're going to take a look at this game and try to improve upon those mistakes. Campo is a great team and they forced a lot of mistakes. But a lot of these are self-inflicted."
Hamilton looked to be firing on all cylinders early.
The Huskies struck first on a punt return for a touchdown by Asia Denson. She was patient as her teammates set up blocks then used her speed to run up the sideline and across the goal line for the score.
That shifted momentum to Hamilton’s side early, which the Huskies never relinquished. Late in the second quarter that found the end zone again, this time on an 8-yard pass from Phillips to Mikayla Allen.
Hamilton took the two-score lead into the break. But the offense sputtered from there, drawing frustration from Stone.
"Very disappointed on both sides of the ball," Stone said. "Lots of mistakes. I think we had at least a dozen penalties and bad decisions all around."
Hamilton and Campo Verde traded punts and turnovers on downs throughout the second half. Big plays were negated by penalties. Positive drives stalled due to turnovers and sacks.
Hamilton wasn’t able to move the ball well against Campo Verde’s defense in the final two quarters. Short passes were all the Coyotes allowed. But the Huskies returned the favor with their defense, and specifically their two rushers, Demi Woods and Michaiah Grant.
The two combined for several sacks on the day, putting constant pressure on Campo Verde quarterback Isabella Pap.
Pap was held to just 32 yards through the air in the first half. She finished with 83, throwing two interceptions in the process that were picked off by Hamilton’s do-it-all player Samaya Taylor-Jenkins. The connection between Pap and star wideout Maddie Coger was limited by Hamilton’s secondary. Coger caught just two passes for 28 yards.
"We're very positive and always uplifting each other," Denson said of the defense. "I already believe we can get the ring. We're on a tour right now. We're 2-0 now but we have more games to come."
The only points of the second half came off the leg of Piper Knox, who hit a 21-yard field goal for Hamilton in the fourth.
Despite some disappointment, there were still plenty of positive for the Huskies. Defensively, they’ve given up just 14 points against two of the top teams in the state in Xavier and Campo Verde. Offensively, Phillips appears to be settling in. She complete 19 of her 28 pass attempts for 186 yards and a touchdown. She did, however, throw two interceptions.
Nonetheless, getting a win in the Honor Bowl was special for the Huskies. The girls were nearly moved to tears pre-game hearing from veterans. Denson, especially, felt it the most. She lost her grandfather, a veteran, two weeks ago.
She said she believes he would be proud of the way her and her team performed in a game that means more.
"I'm very blessed to get this award," said Denson, who was named MVP. "I don't think he ever thought I would play football, but he would have loved to see me play."
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