Edgardo Soto is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Ironwood High School for AZPreps365.com

The Ironwood Eagles committed four costly turnovers that proved too much as the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs defeated them 32-0 on Friday night at Chuck Esquivel Stadium. 

Both teams entered hungry for their first win, and it showed as the Mustangs were up only 7-0 at halftime. But that quickly changed as Ironwood (0-3) turned the ball over in enemy territory on four consecutive drives to start the third quarter.

The turnovers led to three scoring drives for the Mustangs (1-2) as they quickly scored 17 points to put the Eagles in a 24-point hole.

Senior quarterback Connor Monahan said many factors contributed to the turnovers. 

“We're missing our starting center, so we're playing with a guy that hasn't got a whole lot of reps, but he's doing the best he can,” Monahan said. “Also, the running backs aren't securing the ball, so we're going to be working on a lot more ball security this week. We just don't have a team that's vicious with the ball.”

Despite keeping the game close in the first half, Sunrise Mountain coach Nathan Roark never wavered, believing that if the team stayed true to itself, it would pull out the win. That's what the Mustangs did. 

The Mustangs held Monahan to 39 yards on 6-of-16 passing.

“Honestly, we didn't make many adjustments,” Roark said. “We just stayed with our game plan. ... Fortunately, they weren't able to throw the ball, and we shut down the run.”

There was a scary moment in the third quarter as Ironwood cornerback Ayden Sullivan lay lifeless on the field after getting tackled on an onside kick attempt. Trainers rushed to the area, and Sullivan was taken by ambulance to the hospital. 

Ironwood coach Christopher Rizzo wasn't able to give an update on Sullivan's  condition but he was optimistic Sullivan would be fine. Shortly after the game, Rizzo met with the head trainer to go to the hospital and check on Sullivan.

“I know when he left, he was conscious and communicating with EMS, and we're going to go check on him right now,” Rizzo said. 

Monahan also shared his thoughts on the situation.

“Our whole team is praying for him, and our entire fan base is behind him,” Monahan said. “It's sucks that we couldn't come back and win it for him. We had some fight in us, but it's just unfortunate how things played out. Lots of prayers to him, but I think we're hearing that he's going to be all right.”

Ironwood looks to get its first win Friday at the Kellis Cougars (0-2).