Dylan Ackermann is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Marcos de Niza High School for AZPreps365.com

The Marcos de Niza Padres handled business on homecoming night, defeating the Arcadia Titans 24-10 to improve to 6-0.  

After receiving the initial kickoff, the Padres started off slow with a quick three-and-out. The Titans capitalized with a field goal, giving the team an early 3-0 lead.

To commence the Padres second possession, wide receiver Jamaal Young II dropped his second pass of the game early in the first quarter. Young II never seemed to look back after this moment.  

“I was really down on myself because that’s what I work on everyday, for hours on end,” Young II said. “I can’t thank my coaches and teammates enough, they just kept pushing me.”

With two minutes left in the first quarter, the Padres completed a 50-yard scoring drive from junior quarterback Braesen León to senior Young II. That gave the Padres the boost they needed to start dictating the game's pace.   

“I did not think I was going to score,” Young II mentioned. “I kind of got emotional after those two drops, I started tearing up.”

Marcos de Niza’s defense eventually took over with the help of its outstanding defensive line, which held the Titans on fourth-and-short early in the second quarter.  

After that stop, León and Young II continued to wreak havoc on the Titans, connecting on a 35-yard touchdown just two plays.

“I can put my full trust in Jamaal,” León said. “I know if I throw it up there he’s going to come down with it.”  

The Titans failed to respond, going three-and-out. Marcos de Niza closed out the first half with an eight minute possession that resulted in a field goal, putting the Padres up 17-3 at halftime.

Marcos de Niza was just as explosive on the defensive end, holding the Titans to three points entering the fourth quarter. Senior linebacker Mason Stromstad led the way with eight tackles, collapsing the pocket nearly every play.  

“It wasn’t just me,” said Stromstad. “Guys were setting up the inside, letting me take the outside to get tackles.”    

The Titans found a way to score early in the fourth quarter, still trailing 17-10.  

Following the touchdown, the Padres found themselves backed up in their own end zone, being forced to punt from their own two-yard line.  

“Whenever we face adversity it’s onto the next play,” Stromstad mentioned.  “It doesn’t matter if they score, it’s going to happen. We just need to move on to the next play.”

The punt happened to take a Marcos de Niza Padres bounce, with senior outside linebacker and kicker Damian Gonzalez recovering the fumble.

Stromstad caught a 30-yard touchdown from León late in the fourth to seal the deal. To add to the fire, senior cornerback Clinton Hopkins capped off the game with an interception.  

Braesen León knew how much this one meant to his seniors.

“It feels great,” Leon said. “As a junior, the team gives me a little slack. But hey, we win.” 

Homecoming weekend is off to a great start for the Padres remain undefeated.

“You couldn’t draw this game up any better,” Young II said.  “This is the funniest thing I’ve ever done. And now, we are 6-0 after going 4-6 last year.  We are going to keep this momentum going.”  

Marcos De Niza will take on Combs next Friday at home, 7 p.m.