Diego Iniguez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Mountain for AZPreps365.com

The Shadow Mountain Matadors (5-4) achieve its first .500 season since 2016 on Friday after defeating the Bourgade Catholic Golden Eagles, 33-28. 

Shadow Mountain sophomore running back Tavares “TJ” Allen’s go-ahead five-yard touchdown with 1:02 left to play that sealed the Matadors' victory and snapped their four-game losing streak. 

“Feeling great right now. We stayed disciplined. We played our game," Allen said after the game. “We didn’t play hero ball. We did what we had to do, and we caught a dub.” 

Bourgade Catholic (3-6) struck first after a pass deflection from Shadow Mountain’s defense landed into a Bourgade player's arms. 

Shadow Mountain’s defense made big plays thereafter.

The Matadors forced a fumble and got two interceptions, including a pick six.

One of those INTs came from junior cornerback and wide receiver Mateo Hernandez. 

He also scored a 70-yard rushing TD to answer the Golden Eagles' first TD. 

Hernandez scored again on an 18-yard TD reception with 1:08 left in the first half, and the Matadors held a 14-7 halftime lead.

While Shadow Mountain’s rush offense was quiet in the first half, the second half was the opposite. 

Allen and junior running back Alexis Soto rushed for three combined TDs in the second half, including their respective 80- and 69-yard yard runs.

The latter TD from Allen gave the Matadors a 27-14 lead late in the third quarter. 

 Shortly after the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles answered with a 53-yard scoring drive. 

The Golden Eagles would eventually regained the lead with less than four minutes to play after a their two-yard TD. 

During the Shadow Mountain’s game winning drive, Allen’s rushing, senior WR Leonardo Sierra 23-yard catch, and a five-yard Bourgade penalty on fourth-and-4 in the red zone led to Allen's game-winning TD.

The Matadors completed their comeback after a fourth down stop against the Eagles in the last minute. 

“I can’t explain it," Hernandez said. "This is a terrific game for us to get back."

Matadors head coach Ron Fagan said he was relieved after that fourth down stop.

The Matadors will have their final regular season game at home on October 28th at 7 p.m. against Paradise Honors (7-1). 

Shadow Mountain can achieve its first winning season since 2010 when it went 6-5 if they win next Friday.