Patrick Holleron is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Veritas Prep High School for AZPreps365.com 

Veritas Prep had its  biggest turnout of the season with fans setting up stands and cookouts to cheer on the team at home. Unfortunately, many will want to forget Friday’s homecoming game. 

The Falcons quickly fell behind as the Eagles built a 16-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game. Scottsdale was successful with 2-point conversions after both scoring drives.

“I think that if we get up early, it gives us an advantage and they're chasing points,” Scottsdale Christian Academy coach Mike Sheahan said.

The Falcons’ lone bright spot in the first quarter was sophomore safety Baylor Arnold intercepting a pass from senior quarterback Jack Atkinson. The defense was the only thing keeping them in this game.  

“Our strength this season has definitely been our defense and forcing turnovers,” Veritas Prep coach Jason Black said. “When we can capitalize on turnovers, that's when we're playing at our best.”

Veritas got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter as senior running back Max Kaminksi scored on an 8-yard run.  The Falcons attempted a 2-point conversion, but it was no good as they trailed 16-6 with 10:42 left.

Kaminski finished the game with 143 yards and one touchdown. 

On the ensuing drive, the Veritas defense recovered a fumble from senior running back Jacob Trapp with 9:15 left. The turnover ultimately didn’t matter as sophomore quarterback John Weiland fumbled the ball and Scottsdale Christain recovered it in the end zone to make it a 22-6 deficit with 7:42 to play. 

“I think sometimes we take for granted how much our guys put on both sides of the ball,” Black said. “We kind of got worn down a little bit.”

The Eagles scored once more before the end of the first half with Trapp running for a 19-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 30-6. Aside from the early fumble, Trapp was unstoppable, rushing for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

“Jacob Trapp, he had a fumble early and then I feel like that just turned him on,” Sheahan said. “And he did not stop running. He was running over, through, around, and into the end zone.”

The Falcons had a promising drive coming out of halftime, but it stalled with 7:31 remaining in the third quarter as Weiland lost the ball while being sacked. The Eagles took advantage of the turnover with Trapp rushing for a 59-yard touchdown. 

On the next drive, with 5:48 left in the third quarter, Tico Lentz ran for an 8-yard gain, but as he was going down he fumbled the ball. The officials ruled that Lentz lost the ball before he was down. 

Black was furious about the call and ran onto the field to get an explanation from the officials. This resulted in consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for Veritas along with Black being ejected from the game. Falcons players and other coaches were outraged by the decision to eject Black from the game. 

“That was not a fair call,” Lentz said. “We were all angry and we were just trying to stand up for him.” 

According to AIA rules, any coach or player that is ejected from a game is ineligible to participate in the next contest. While Veritas can appeal the decision, it’s expected that Black will not be coaching the next game. 

“I already know I won't be,” Black said. That's just the way that the rule is.” 

 From that point on the game was essentially over as Trapp got his third touchdown of the night on a 10-yard run and the lead grew to 44-6. 

The Falcons answered back in the closing seconds of the third quarter, as Weiland found freshman tight end Miles Perry wide open for a 4-yard touchdown as they trailed 44-12. 

Scottsdale Christian scored one more time with Atkinson finding running back Kody Olafson for a 30-yard touchdown to make the final score 51-12. Atkinson completed 9 of 15 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. 

“We have trust in the coaches and the kids for next week's game,” Black said. “And, to execute the way that we want to.” 

Veritas Prep (5-2, 3-1) will go on the road against Parker High School (3-3, 1-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Scottsdale Christian Academy (4-2, 2-0) will host Scottsdale Prep (5-1, 2-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.