By Zach Alvira
Head of Content
Kaylei Yazzie admitted to feeling down on herself late in the fourth quarter of the first-ever Arizona Honor Bowl flag football game Friday night.
The Mountain View junior kicker had just come off the field after her 24-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Red Mountain to keep its lead. She watched as the Toro defense forced a Red Mountain punt with just over a minute to play.
That's when Mountain View head coach Jesus Arzaga told her she would get another opportunity.
She did.
Tierah Metcalf and Emma Fischbeck marched the Toros down the field quickly. On first down with 19 yards needed for the first per flag football rules, Arzaga called Yazzie's number. She took a deep breath, prayed then hit a 34-yard field goal to give the Toros the 15-14 lead and ultimately, the win.
"After that third field goal I missed, I was really doubting myself," Yazzie said. "I felt like I was going to cost us the game and I didn't know how I would live with that. When I was out there I got in my zone, I prayed, I blocked out the noise and I kicked it. After that, that feeling was amazing."
Mountain View's offense sputtered throughout most of the game against Red Mountain up until the final quarter.
The Toros found themselves in an early hole, as Mountain Lions senior quarterback Sierra Mellish found success through the air early on. She connected with multiple wideouts on the Mountain Lions first few drives, including Kore Roberts, Brooklyn White and Haleigh Jones.
Red Mountain's first score of the game, however, came on the ground. Trisha Stine-Groves took the direct snap and found a seam up the middle for a 41-yard touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, Mellish connected with Jones for another score.
Defensively, Red Mountain caused headaches for the Toros. Even as Metcalf led them down the field, sacks by Ava Klene -- three total -- stopped the Toros in their tracks. They managed to put points on the board in the first half thanks to Yazzie on a 30-yard field goal into the wind. She connected on another field goal in the third. That's when things shifted for the better for Mountain View.
"Credit to our offense for moving the ball and giving Yazzie a chance to produce," Arzaga said. "These girls just never stop fighting. They're relentless and have a culture of never giving up."
Mountain View knew field goals wouldn't cut it against Red Mountain. The Mountain Lions returned several starters from last year's team that made a run to the 6A semifinals in the first-ever sanctioned flag football season in Arizona.
Quarterback draws by Metcalf were being sniffed out by the Mountain View defense. So, Arzaga called the option.
Metcalf was patient, pitching it to Lucee Lamoreaux just before her flag was pulled. Lamoreaux used her speed to round the corner and score from 22 yards out. Defensive stops by both teams then led to Yazzie's game-winning field goal.
Dating back to last year's state championship team, Mountain View had become used to winning close games. The Toros did it all throughout the playoffs and had two tight battles this week alone -- Tuesday against 4A favorite Eastmark and Friday against Red Mountain in the Honor Bowl.
Arzaga said it comes down to resilience for his girls. They don't get too down on themselves in big moments. As they've proven now time and time again, they typically find a way to bounce back.
"I feel like its a tribute to our veterans to continue to fight in everything you're doing," Arzaga said.
With the win, Mountain View becomes the first team to be crowned champion at the Arizona Honor Bowl, something that is fitting for the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
The showcase, which started in 2010 in California and came to Arizona for the first time this year, is more than just four high school flag and tackle football games in a weekend. The organizers, The Honor Group, use the Honor Bowl to bring awareness to the sacrifices military men and women, as well as their families, make.
The girls received a pep talk from a wounded veteran before the game. Yazzie said her level or respect for veterans grew even higher. Her grandfather served in the military.
Before kickoff, they watched the building of the battlefield cross at midfield. Combat boots, dog tags, a rifle and helmet from fallen soldiers are used in the ceremony.
While a win over their rival was the goal for the Toros Friday night, they achieved much more doing it at the Honor Bowl.
"I have a lot of respect for veterans," Yazzie said. "I'm really honored to be able to win this championship and show my respect and love for veterans for all they do for this country."
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