James Copeland is an ASU student journalist assigned to cover Betty H. Fairfax High School for AZPreps365.com

Still looking for its first win of the season on Senior Night, Betty Fairfax ultimately played one of its best games of the year to this point. However, penalties and continued offensive struggles plagued the team as the Stampede once again failed to get a win for the Seniors, falling to Camelback 22-13 to remain winless.

The game started out rather slow, as both teams could not come out with any points in the first quarter. The Stampede did have a long 90-yard drive going in the fourth quarter and looked like they were about to score, but multiple penalties killed the drive and kept the game scoreless.

The defense really was able to shine throughout the game, and defensive coordinator Martwon Weaver was proud of the performance and felt that they had played one of their best games of the year.

“I think we played well, we came out with some intensity, and trailed off towards the second half, then picked it up again a little too late," he said. "We made some key stops, we just have to keep playing like this and build off this game." 

While the defense was unable to keep the game scoreless in the second quarter, giving up a brutal 21-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-21, the offense had a stellar drive to end the half.

Quarterback Aiden Paredes threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to the reliable Dual Machar Wie. This knotted the game up at 7-7 going into halftime with a positive outlook for the Stampede going into the second half.

A big highlight for the team throughout the game was its defensive line. Camelback struggled to run the ball and the offensive line struggled against the big defensive line of Fairfax with the quarterback being sacked multiple times. Defensive line coach Brad Duru was proud of the performance and spoke of what they needed to improve on next game.

“We fought hard and showed a lot of effort," he said. "It was a good finish but it is a work in progress. We have to clean up the penalties going into next week.” 

Despite the defensive efforts, the team still found themselves down 22-7 late in the fourth quarter and with the offense not being able to build off the big play at the end of the first half.

However, they were able to put together a late scoring drive with a touchdown pass to junior receiver Vincent Quadrozzi to pull the team within nine with less than two minutes left. 

“It felt good because if we laid an egg at the end it would have been tough to get things started for the next game. I think we need to run the ball better to open up the pass game,” he said.

Though the team attempted to make a rally late, detrimental unnecessary roughness penalties killed the chances of them getting the ball back and Camelback was able to kneel the game out.

“It is about discipline and understanding we have to play together," he said. "The seniors fought and have one more game left, and we keep preaching about brotherhood and being a team to try and go out and get a win,” Weaver said.

The Stampede will have one more chance to get a win on the year as they go on the road to face the Trevor G. Browne Bruins, who are 2-7 on the year. Camelback will look to end the year at 5-5 as it will end the year facing the 8-1 Central Bobcats at home.