Jack Bartlett is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps265.com

TEMPE-- Senior running back Prince Conteh amassed an astounding 273 all-purpose yards, leading McClintock to its first victory of the season, a 34-14 defeat of cross-town rival Tempe High. Conteh's career night more than helped the Chargers overcome the absence of seven starters. 

“We’re trying to establish the rush game,” head coach Corbin Smith said. “We had seven starters out, so we will be running the ball a lot.” 

Some of those players were suspended upon their involvement in last week’s brawl during a game against Marcos de Niza. Some were out with an injury. Despite the several starters who were out for this game, Coach Smith’s offensive scheme worked. 

Conteh's first touchdown came off an 85-yard kickoff return in the second quarter in which he juked two Buffalo defenders near the Charger 20-yard line. “Well, I cut back, so I was like I can’t lose any yards here because coach [Smith] is going to rip me out,” Conteh said. “I was like, 'You know make a move, try and gain what you can.' Next thing I know, my team is blocking for me and I’m just running my butt off.”

Conteh totaled three touchdowns and eight carries of 10-plus yards. He took two of those seven carries to the endzone: besides the 85-yard kickoff return, Conteh scored on rushes of 55 and 28 yards. 

Conteh seemingly couldn’t be stopped.

Four of the Chargers’ five touchdowns came from the ground. Junior quarterback Peter Clark ran seven yards for McClintock’s first score in addition to Prince Conteh’s three rushing scores. 

Freshmen wide receiver Skyler Bialet hauled in a 25-yard Clark pass for McClintock's lone touchdown through the air.

Smith kept morale high throughout the week despite the number of injuries and suspensions ahead of the Chargers’ rivalry game. At practices he reminded his team to stay focused stick to the game plan. On Friday evening, they did. And it worked.

The Chargers believe that Friday’s win is a stepping stone for the rest of the season. “We don’t plan on losing,” Conteh said. “We lost three in a row, but that doesn’t matter. Put us on the map.” 

And mark down Conteh, who is averaging nearly 20 carries per game, as a place of interest. “We will be running the ball as much as possible,” coach Smith said.

The week leading up to Friday’s rivalry matchup, McClintock held its spirit week to honor the Tempe tussle. Each day featured a new theme for students to dress up. On one particular day, the theme was jocks versus nerds.

Conteh embodied the former on Friday evening while often making Tempe's defense looked as if it were the nerds. As if the Chargers’ spirit week theme had become a reality.

“It’s all in practice,” Prince Conteh said. “We workout through the heat, just trying to work. Keep the motivation up, meetings after school. Keep the love up.” 

And if that continues, Conteh may continue to look lik a jock amongst nerds on the gridiron.