David Bernauer is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assiged to cover Shadow Ridge for AZPreps365.

Up three in Friday night's closing minutes, Shadow Ridge needed a big play to seal its win over Basha. The Stallions got one from Anthony Garcia.

On third down, the sophomore running back diced through defenders on a 38-yard touchdown run, sending Shadow Ridge to a 41-31 season-opening win and sending the limited home crowd into hysterics.

“My mind was blown!' Garcia said. "It was one of the most exciting things that ever happened to me in all my football career. Playing with these big ol’ boys, getting that first touchdown was something else.”

Shadow Ridge's defense held on against Basha's final possession, giving coach Sean Hegarty his first program win. As zeroes flashed on the game clock, the whole team rushed onto the field and formed a mob of battered bodies and sweaty hair, mixed with the high of emotions that comes after a big win.

Athletic director Matthew Kuffel called it the program's best win of the last seven years. Defensive coordinator Matt Elet added: “One of the most fun, thrilling games I’ve ever been a part of. I’m so happy.”

Hegarty was proud of Shadow Ridge's preparation.

“The kids knew what was going to happen,'' he said. "Everything went exactly the way we had planned for the most part. The kids executed extremely well, and I couldn’t be happier for them."

Junior quarterback Seth Gallardo helped the offense get off to a quick start. Junior receiver Robert Grier scored Shadow Ridge's first touchdown. Gallardo also reached the end zone twice.

Down 21-20 at halftime, the Stallions got extra motivation in the third quarter.

As Gallardo rushed near the 30 yard line, the quarterback slid and appeared to take a knee to the head from the Bears defense which resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty.

“It was just a dirty hit. It makes any team angry,” senior lineman Carson McNutt said.

“We were just trying to protect our quarterback, keep our foot on the gas pedal,” Grier said of the play.

A switch was flipped in Shadow Ridge's heads. The offense kicked into high gear. Senior Branson Pendgraft caught a 29-yard pass in traffic from Gallardo, followed by two rushes from senior Jacob Thurman. Shadow Ridge had the lead.

The defense picked up where the offense left off. Junior Isaac Yates intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards. Soon after, Grier rushed in for his second touchdown, giving Shadow Ridge a 34-24 lead.

Basha scored on its next drive.

Garcia took it from there, sealing the win.

"It was real nice,'' Grier said. "We were the underdog going into this game against Basha, so it felt great to get a win after waiting for Covid to pass. It was a great team win.”

The Stallions will look to carry this energy into next week’s tilt against Westwood.

"(We want) to put this football team on the map,” McNutt said.