Jason Goldie is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX – The North Mustangs fought hard against the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions on Friday night, but were outmanned and overpowered, losing 45-6.

North’s first score occurred just after Mountain Ridge’s opening drive when North’s Abraham Ortega came down with an interception. On the next play, Luke Haugo threw a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver JuJu Felix to give North a 6-0 lead with 5:48 left in the first quarter.

Mountain Ridge answered quickly. Wide receiver Terrance Hall put the Mountain Lions into the red zone, and Ryland Sands caught a touchdown pass from Brendan Anderson to put the Mountain Lions ahead, 7-6, with 3:13 left in the first quarter.

Mountain Ridge extended its lead to 14-6 with 10:19 left in the first half when Anderson hit Hall for a touchdown. Anderson added a 15-yard touchdown pass to Nicklaus Cardiff with 6:58 left in the first half to put the Mountain Lions up 21-6.

Despite North’s strong defense and a sack by Jaylen Grant, Anderson was able to run it in for a touchdown to make the score 28-6 Mountain Ridge with 2:15 left in the first half.

The Mustangs punted on their next drive, which was returend by Mountain Ridge’s Korey Johnson for a touchdown, but it was called back. North's defense held strong in the red zone, and despite several attempts by Mountain Ridge and deflections by Nevin Holder and AT Desamais, the Mountain Lions were forced to kick a field goal to take a 31-6 lead with 12 seconds left in the first half.

Moutain Ridge's scoring wasn't over despite just a few ticks left on the clock. Mountain Ridge’s Austin Pocock intercepted North and returned it for a touchdown with two seconds left in the first half to give the Mountain Lions a 38-6 lead at the break.

Mountain Ridge added a touchdown with 8:26 left in the third quarter to extend its lead to 45-6.

With North's Haugo out with an injury, the Mustangs changed it up in the second half with Rolando Martinez, Ortega and Felix all taking snaps in the backfield, but they were unsuccessful at any scoring attempts. 

Despite the loss, the Mustangs held their heads high.

“Not giving up was the key of this game,” Felix said. “We weren’t wrapping up like we were supposed to, and that cost us.”

Head coach Mark Mejia echoed Felix’s positive comments.

“We didn’t quit,” Mejia said. “We kept them out of the end zone in the second half, and I can live with that.”

North had just come off its first victory of the season against South Mountain High School with a confident 40-15 win. Prior to kickoff, safeties coach Jon Sheaffer shared the team’s emotions about their preparation for the game.

“It obviously gives us a little more momentum coming off a win, so we have a little more positivity, but we know it’s gonna be a tough challenge,” Sheaffer said. “It’s gonna be a tough night, but we’re excited.”