Anthony Sanchez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Campo Verde High School for AZPreps365.com 

The Campo Verde Coyotes  defeated the Arizona College Preparatory Knights 7-2 in the first game of the AIA Flag Football 5A State playoffs.

Audrey King was once again the hero of the game for the Coyotes. In her last encounter against the Knights, King made the game-winning field goal to win, 3-0. Tuesday, she scored the only touchdown of the game and  kicked the extra point. She also had three interceptions,  bringing her overall total to five for the season. 

“We locked them down on defense and that’s where it mattered the most,” King said. 

The Coyotes won the coin toss and did the opposite of what they did previously against the Knights and chose to receive the opening kick. It proved to be a smart move, King scored on the first possession as the Coyotes moved the ball easily.

But, just like their previous encounter, it was another defensive game.

“Another game not giving up a touch, that’s important,” said assistant coach John Taylor. 

After stopping the Knights on the 5-yard line, the Coyotes' King picked off her first pass on the Knights' next possession.

Deep into the second quarter, with the Knights driving, the Coyotes defense came up big again, forcing a turnover on downs near their goal line. But the Knights were able to get a safety after the Coyotes couldn't move the ball, ending the first half 7-2. 

In the second half, the two schools exchanged turnovers, one coming for the Coyotes when Madison Coger got an interception on the second play of the half. 

The rest of the game, the Coyotes defense played a crucial part in the quarter. King had two interceptions in the third quarter. Coyotes move on with the victory.

They’ll face the Flagstaff Eagles at home this Thursday. In their first meeting, the Coyotes lost to Flagstaff, 13-2 in Flagstaff.

“Execute ... because we failed to execute earlier this season against Flagstaff, so we got to execute and do our jobs,” said head coach Brian Coger when asked what the game plan going will be going into Thursday.

King is looking forward to the next challenge.

“We know what to expect,” said King when being first told that the Coyotes would be facing Flagstaff. “We didn’t beat them the first time, but that doesn’t matter, we know their weakness and we should be able to have a good game."