Kyle McCartney is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain View High School for AZPreps365. 

The Mountain View Toros rallied to pick up a huge win Friday night, defeating the Chaparral Firebirds 29-26.

It was Mountain View's first road win of the season and sends the Toros into a bye week with a win before they enter their sectional games. They improved to 2-3.

The Toros seemed to have a bit of a hangover from their blowout loss the previous week, as they failed to generate much in the first quarter. Quarterback Jack Germaine had an excellent scoring drive on which he was 5 of 6 for 60 yards. But, overall, Mountain View seemed flat. 

Though the offense found life, the issues on special teams still seemed to carry over from the previous week, as a muffed punt put Chaparral in the red zone with 17 seconds left in the first half.

Quarterback Miles Vandenheuvel then delivered a touchdown strike with just 2 seconds left, pushing Chaparral's lead to 20-7 at halftime.

“I know we went into the locker room down,” said coach Joe Germaine. “But I was very happy with how we played. We came out in the second half and cleaned some things up and played with great energy.”

Coach Germaine’s halftime adjustments proved beneficial, as they opened up the scoring with a methodical 75-yard drive that ended with a Wilson Kerr rushing touchdown with 1:32 left in the third quarter.

Jack Germaine played well, finishing with 253 yards and two touchdowns in a signature win for the junior. 

“That’s my game, that’s what I do,” Germaine said. “But I couldn’t do it without the team around me, O-line, defense, everyone gave their all tonight.”

The Toros forced a turnover early in the fourth quarter, and came out firing on offense. Germaine unleashed a 74-yard bomb to wide receiver Zack Gaumont for a touchdown, giving the Toros their first lead, 21-20.  

On the next drive, the Firebirds responded with a big play of their own, a 68-yard touchdown pass that made the score 26-21 after a failed 2-point conversion. 

But lightning seemed to strike twice for Mountain View. On the next drive, Germaine found Gaumont in the middle of the field. Gaumont did the rest, as he used his track-star speed all the way to the end zone to cap a 75-yard touchdown that put the Toros up 29-26 after a completed 2-point try with 5:21 left. 

“Coach Germaine pulled me to the side and said, 'These plays are going to you,'” said Gaumont. “I’m just glad I was able to deliver when my team needed me.”

The Toros defense all but sealed the game via a strip fumble with 2:57 left, and the energy on the sideline was contagious. The offense needed to pick up a first down and it delivered, sealing the win.  

The Mountain View Toros enter a bye week before their sectional home opener against Williams Field (2-3), which will take place at 7 p.m Friday, October 14th at Mountain View.