Ryan Knutson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Barry Goldwater High School for AZPrep365.

PHOENIX- Despite the Eastmark Firebirds getting out to a big lead in the first half, Barry Goldwater was able to make it a competitive, defense-driven girls flag football game. 

Goldwater head coach Josh Baloney came into this game hoping to continue seeing improvement from his young team.

Eastmark continued to prove why it was undefeated coming into this game with a 23-0 non-region 5A win over the Bulldogs. The Firebirds (5-0) started their first three drives of the game with three touchdown passes.

While the Bulldogs (1-4) throughout the first half were able to muster up some positive plays on offense, their drives were stopped short of getting serious momentum by the Eastmark defense. 

Baloney discussed at halftime the offense needed to work in more motion this week while they “implemented a lot of new plays on offense.” 

The coach would later emphasize it took his players some time to settle in the game, while getting the offense clicking. 

Down 23-0 at the half, breakout player Sade Peters started the second half with a 40-yard kickoff return to spark life within the Bulldogs. It was short lived, but Peters proved to be effective on both sides of the ball throughout the game, bringing in multiple positive receiving gains and numerous pass deflections.

Defensively, the Bulldogs showed great effort at getting after Eastmark’s quarterback. ,Coming into this game as a second string rusher, Anariza Guerrero, made numerous big plays blitzing the passer and coming up with multiple sacks on the night.

Guerrero said her big night came from following her coach's rule on defense. The players have to, “understand where we’re at,” as far defensive positioning goes before every play.

Baloney said the defense was doing its job while waiting on the offense to get back into the game.

“They were holding on hope that the the offense can get the wheels turning,” he said. 

The offensive side of the ball for both teams consisted of chunk yardage being gained from big plays, as compared to long methodical drives. Peters said she feels the Bulldogs' offense can hopefully, “get more big plays” out there on the field.

Towards the end of the fourth quarter, those big plays from the Bulldogs offense showed up as they put together one of their better drives on the day with under a minute left in the game. 

The positive momentum will only hope to be built on after a good ending to a loss. 

“I tell the girls to bring it next game,” Baloney said.

Goldwater will hope that momentum will carry over, as it goes on the road Tuesday, against the Vista Grande Spartans.