Natalie Guzman is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Trevor G. Browne for AZPreps365.com

Trevor G. Browne defensive line coach James Bagley told his linemen in the second quarter that they looked like the moment was too big for them. He asked them to prove him wrong.

“You guys have to show up and rise to the occasion,” he said.

And that is what the defensive line – and more importantly, what Trevor Browne – did.

Trevor Browne’s homecoming game was nothing but eventful, as the team rallied a 24-point comeback against Raymond S. Kellis High School to tie the game Friday night in Phoenix. Despite the comeback and play in overtime, Trevor Browne lost by one point, 44-43.

Starting quarterback Andrew Romero, who did not play last week against Casteel because of injury, threw for multiple touchdown passes Friday night, including the team’s first touchdown of the fourth quarter which rallied the team for the comeback.

It was a slow start for the team in the first half. They had their first touchdown in the first quarter after junior defensive back Oswaldo Martinez intercepted the ball from Kellis quarterback Ronald Coty III. That led to a Bruins touchdown, with help from Romero.

However Kellis scored twice after that. With the score 24-7, senior RJ Strickland had a kick return of more than 20 yards to end the last minute of the half.

The 24 points in the second half were not easy to get, as they consisted of a touchdown drive, a fumble which led to another scoring drive, and an onside kick. After each of the three drives, the team went for the extra two points which helped them gain the 24.

In overtime, both Kellis and Trevor Browne had a 10-yard touchdown, but Trevor Browne missed the extra point and Kellis did not, costing them the game. Ironically, Kellis missed extra points for most of the game, getting none in the first half.

According to AIA records, Friday night’s matchup marked the first time the two teams met in 11 years. They played in the 2012-2013 season where Trevor Browne lost 23-46 at Kellis. Trevor won two games that season. The year before, in the 2011-2012 season, Trevor Browne lost 8-68 and did not win a single game that season.

Kellis’ head coach Ben Kullos said the possible reason for the 11-year gap between the two teams is because of Trevor’s former 6A title. Trevor Browne football switched last year from 6A conference to 5A.

“They’ve always been 6A. We’ve always been 5A,” Kullos said. “Only my third year here at Kellis, but I know when I got here, I definitely wanted to try and play the neighborhood schools. I mean, it took us 12 minutes to get here on a bus.”

The event did not disappoint running back coach Joseph Parker.

“This is the best high school game I’ve ever been a part of,” Parker said.

Despite the loss, Trevor Browne head coach Francisco Rangel said the team did everything he could ask of them.

“I love these kids. I pick them 100 out of 100 times,” he said.

Rangel also said this game is helpful because it motivated his team for their next match: their first regional game is against Camelback High School (1-4) Friday, Sept. 29, in Phoenix.