Bulldogs win on senior night for fallen teammate
November 12, 2021 by Jaxson Webster, Arizona State University
Jaxson Webster is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Queen Creek for AZPreps365.com
QUEEN CREEK- Queen Creek High School quarterback Sebastian Tomerlin rushed for three touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 35-16 senior night win over Desert Ridge High School on Friday.
Queen Creek also secured the number one spot in the 6A Fiesta division to close out the regular season.
Tomerlin dedicated the win to his late teammate Hunter Vindiola, who passed away in an ATV accident in 2020. Before the game Vindiola’s family walked during the senior night introductions. The Bulldog captains also carried a number 72 jersey out for the coin toss to honor their lost teammate.
“We lost a teammate, Hunter Vindiola,” Tomerlin said. “We dedicated this game to him all week and I played for him knowing he was watching over.”
With Vindiola's presence felt, Queen Creek seized early momentum when Jaguar quarterback Major Wootan’s first pass of the game was intercepted by Kade Farrell.
After the interception, Tomerlin opened the scoring on a fourth-and-goal from the 15-yard line. The speedy left-handed quarterback dodged several linemen before bouncing to his right and finding the blocks he needed to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 with :57 left in the first quarter.
Sebastian Tomerlin with one of the most impressive plays you’ll see by a HS QB. On 4th and goal from the 15, he takes matters into his own hand for the first score of the game. pic.twitter.com/EL36WdEFM4
— Jaxson Webster (@JaxsonWebster26) November 13, 2021
“Pressure got to me, but I ended up bouncing it outside,” Tomerlin said. “One of my teammates put up a good block and I ended up getting in.”
Desert Ridge tried to even the score at the start of the second quarter, but the Queen Creek defense forced a quick three-and-out. The Bulldogs then got a hand on the punt, which traveled only 12 yards, giving them the ball on the Jaguar 42.
On the second play of the ensuing drive, Tomerlin broke free from the rush and scrambled 42 yards into the corner of the end zone to put Queen Creek up 14-0.
Queen Creek’s defense would shut down Jaguar running back Jordan Wilson and Desert Ridge's offense for the remainder of the first half. “It was great giving our offense more opportunities to score,” Bulldog defensive end William Waddington said. “The defense has been great all season, we all did our jobs.”
With 4:42 left in the first half Tomerlin used his arm to drive Queen Creek down the field. The line of scrimmage was midfield when Tomerlin completed a 42-yard pass to Kirice Blakley. Then on fourth-and-goal from the one, Tomerlin snuck his way in for his third touchdown of the first half. The Bulldogs converted a fake point-after kick to go ahead 22-0 heading into half time.
The third quarter offered more of the same for the Jaguars. On their second possession of the second half a series of sideline infractions, called when the coach steps too far out on the field or uses choice language, ruined Desert Ridge’s chance to score. On fourth down from the Bulldog 34-yard line, Wootan was once again intercepted. This time it was Matthew Marshall, who took the ball from Queen Creek’s 5-yard line to Desert Ridge’s 38-yard line.
Bulldog rusher Payton Barlow would take advantage of the field position and score from 39 yards out with 4:40 left in the third. Queen Creek's fake point-after kick this time failed, making the score 28-0.
Just when things seemed like the couldn’t get any worse for the Jaguars, K.J. Miniefield fumbled the kickoff. It was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Queen Creek's Sawyer Figeuora: the Bulldogs' second touchdown in just 11 seconds.
“It was good, last year I got caught on the one, so it’s good to get it back,” Figueroa said.
With the score 35-0 entering the fourth quarter, Queen Creek (8-2) sent in the backups. Desert Ridge would score twice to make it 35-16 before the final whistle blew.
The Bulldogs not only celebrated winning the 6A Fiesta Division, but their late teammate Vindiola.
“Even if the guys didn’t know him, they know his spirit,” Waddington said.