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

PHOENIX— McClintock High School crushed South Mountain, 42-14, in its penultimate game of the season Friday night. The Jaguars held their senior night, but the Chargers treated it as if it was theirs. “It was what we should’ve been able to do all year long,” coach Corbin Smith said. “It’s finally coming together.”

McClintock established another dominant rushing effort, complemented by a string of great passes by junior quarterback Peter Clark. “Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball,” Smith said. “There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about what our motto is.”

Senior running back Prince Conteh amassed 201 rushing yards and notched four touchdowns. “Worked hard all season,” Conteh said. “We came in pretty confidently into this game. I just wanted to work out what I’ve been working on.” 

In the first half, McClintock scored touchdowns on each of its four drives- three of which came from Conteh. On the first drive, Conteh rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 20 more yards on McClintock's opening drive than the Jaguars amassed in their first two drives. 

“We’ve always had really, really good backs,” Smith said. “[Prince] gets to the line faster and harder than anyone we’ve ever had here.”

Conteh had seven carries go for more than 10 yards, which included 28-yard and 46-yard carries. He praised his coaches and offensive line for his production tonight.

“My line was there,” Conteh said. “Shoutout to my line. Shoutout to my coaches.”

Clark added a beautiful dime to junior wide receiver Avaunt Ortiz for the Chargers’ fourth touchdown. Ortiz hauled in the best play of the night with a Randy Moss-esque catch.

On a separate occasion, Ortiz found the end zone off another big play. He returned a Jaguars’ kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Clark also found wide receiver Dwight Waithe for a 28-yard pass and Ortiz on another play for a 33-yard deep ball. 

For most of the game, the Chargers looked like they were enjoying themselves. 

Conteh enthusiastically helped the defense get into formation on almost every defensive snap for McClintock.

“Pig, pig!” Conteh screamed. 

He noted that he got really excited during the game, and that doubled on the field. This seemed to be a pattern for the rest of the team.

After senior defensive back John Johnson intercepted a South Mountain pass, McClintock’s bench roared in excitement. It followed suit after the Jaguars fumbled the ball and the Chargers recovered.

After Conteh’s fourth touchdown, junior wide receiver Donovan Sylvester screamed, “Four-time!”

As for junior Ajhaun Barrientos, he danced, chanted, and sang on and off the field all night long. 

“We were winning,” Barrientos said. “It’s what we do. Enjoy the win.”

The Chargers enjoyed every second of Friday's game. Even the coaches got in on the fun. They were smiling and laughing with the players. 

Ideally, this is the kind of game every senior hopes for in his final homestand. A big win filled with energy, enthusiasm, and fun-filled memories. 

For the Chargers, this certainly was the case. From their impervious offensive line to its excellent defensive display to the players’ reactions on the sideline, this performance was nothing short of a sublime senior night.

Unfortunately for South Mountain, it was their senior night. 

McClintock (3-5 overall, 2-2 in the 5A Northeast Valley region) looks to make a playoff push in its final regular-season game against Goldwater next Friday.