Sunrise Mountain’s defense struggled against Paradise Valley, but a big stop with one minute left in the game left Sunrise on top of PV 52-49.

It was 4^th and 3^rd on the Mustang’s 19-yard-line and PV elected to go for it, but Elijah Castro of Sunrise picked quarterback Ryan Finley to seal the win.

Castro started the game with a 51-yard touchdown run to go ahead 7-0 on the second play of the Mustang’s first series. But PV’s Mikah Ruffino answered back to tie the game at 7. Aaron King added another score for the Trojans on a 13-yard carry to go ahead 14-7. The Sunrise Mountain offense was forced to punt on their next possession, but Christian Miller took Finley down for an 11-yard loss to end the first quarter. King came out running and the Mustangs were unable to stop him as he pushed one-yard into the endzone to improve their lead 21-7. PV added another score with 7:37 left in the first half.

Castro returned the kickoff 91 yards showing patience as he waiting for his block, found the crease and took it to the endzone.

The Trojans Dakota Ferch caught a touchdown reception from Finley to improve their lead 35-14. With 26 seconds left to play in the first half, Max Shepherd scored on a quarterback keeper. Paradise Valley fumbled and Sunrise made them pay with a 37-yard field goal from Ryan Hawkins and the Mustangs headed into the locker room down 35-24.

PV scored early in the third quarter and Sunrise did the same on a 5-yard run by Castro to trail the Trojans by three, 38-35. Nine plays later Devon Graffis broke through the Mustangs defensive line and found himself in the endzone with the 42-38 lead.

Sunrise began to battle back in the 3^rd quarter as Castro found the endzone again with 36 seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Mustangs their second lead of the game 45-42. PV had another answer for the Mustang’s offense and on 2^nd and goal Ruffino punched it in for the score and retook the 49-45 lead. Shepherd scored on the second play of the Mustang’s next possession, but it was called back on a holding penalty. So he repeated his run and added another score for Sunrise to retake the lead 52-49.

Sunrise player Hayden Pate intercepted Finley with 6:10 remaining in the game, but a goal-line fumble turned the ball over to the Trojans with 4:26 left to play. PV executed four passing and two running plays before coming up short and falling to the Mustangs 52-49.

The Trojans will look to bounce back next week as they travel to take on Cactus Shadows, while the Mustangs will play host to a very tough Cactus team.

Jennifer Jimenez