Dominic Contini is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365.com.

Mountain View spoiled Chaparral's 50th anniversary homecoming weekend with a dramatic 29-26 upset win.

In a game Chaparral (2-3) led at halftime 20-7, it seemed like the homecoming party was going to continue into the weekend. 

“The mood was too loose in the locker room at halftime,” said Chaparral head coach Brent Barnes. “We got to play like we are down 20-7 at half, not up 20-7.”

In the 4th quarter, the Chaparral defense gave up two 70-yard touchdowns on back-to-back Mountain View (2-3) possessions.

“The easy thing for a 1-3 team coming into this game to do down 20-7 at halftime is to pull up their tents and pack it up,” Mountain View head coach Joe Germaine said. “We did not do that. I am very proud of the character and toughness that our kids showed tonight.”

The game started out slow with Chaparral defensive lineman/kicker Keegan Shank converting field goals of 45 and 27 yards to build an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter. 

The Toros were unable to get anything flowing on offense in the first quarter.

After a 21-yard run on senior Firebird quarterback Miles VandenHeuvel, he threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior Zachary House in the back corner of the endzone. 

The Firebirds held a 13-0 lead with 9:39 left in the half.

The Toros responded with a 80-yard drive capped with a 13-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Wilson Kerr, trimming the Firebirds lead to 13-6 with 5:30 remaining in the half.

Mountain View continued to gain momentum as Toros sophomore defensive back Beckham Barney came up with an interception right outside the red zone with just under four minutes remaining in the half.

However, Toros junior kicker Mason Lindberg missed a 35-yard field goal with 1:57 left. The Firebirds were unable to score on the ensuing possession, but sophomore Jayden Ridley recovered a fumble on the punt at Mountain View's 16-yard line with 15 seconds left in the first half..

The Firebirds offense quickly took advantage of the Mountain View turnover as VandenHeuvel found a 13-yard passing touchdown in taking a 20-7 halftime lead.

Chaparral once again forced a turnover inside Mountain View's red zone with coming up with his second fumble recovery of the game with just under seven minutes to go in the third quarter. 

The Firebirds returned the favor as Toros sophomore defensive lineman Tavita Ta’ase recovered a fumble. Mountain View kept gaining momentum after the Chaparral fumble as Kerr picked up his second rushing touchdown of the game, this one from three yards out with 1:32 left in the third. 

The Kerr score made it a one possession game with Chaparral holding a 20-14 lead at the end of the quarter. Both teams were forced to punt on the following two possessions.

Then the visiting Mountain View crowd came alive after junior quarter Jack Germaine's 73-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Zack Gaumont gave Mountain View a 21-20 lead with 7:46 left in the game.

“It’s just somebody not doing their job, it’s literally that simple.” said Barnes on the momentum changing play.

VandenHeuvel continued the offensive fireworks with a 66-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Plas Johnson, but Chaparral was unable to convert the two-point conversion that kept the score, 26-21, with 6:10 remaining.

Mountain View quickly answered with Germaine connecting with Gaumont once again, this time for a 74-yard touchdown. 

“All I gotta do is get the ball in Zack’s hands.” said Germaine on his connection with his receiver.

Mountain View converted the two-point conversion giving them a 29-26 lead with 5:21 remaining.

After a controversial unnecessary roughness penalty on Mountain View senior defensive back Judah Cabrera, the defensive back was ejected from the game, but Toros defense had their teammates back on the next play.

Mountain View senior defensive back DJ Cesar picked up a Gavin Mesa fumble, giving the Toros possession with 2:57 remaining in the game. 

A pin drop could've been heard in the Chaparral stands after the crucial error.

Things do not get any easier for the Firebirds as they have to play Queen Creek and Saguaro the next two weeks.