Gean Mendez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Prep High School for AZPreps365.com

The Arizona College Prep Knights have been dominating their opponents. Last week, they beat last year's state runners-up Yuma Catholic 43-29. Now, they are coming off a win against Vista Grande 42-12 and advancing their winning streak to five games. 

Now halfway through the season, the 5-1 Knights confidently enter their bye week. ACP has scored 236 points and has 111 points scored against it, beating almost every team by double-digit points or more. 

“Offensive and defensive tackle Cole Perham, a two-time player of the game, said We all get along with each other; we hang out outside of football, and we have been with each other for a while.” 

Captain and running Alec Grant said, “The locker room is feeling confident in whatever opponent we play, and we know if we do our job we will come up with a win.” 

Their defense and offense have been doing their jobs, gained more confidence each week, and continue to build chemistry on and off the field. The players have continued to build their chemistry and make their team stronger for the upcoming weeks. 

Grant and Perham described the team’s chemistry as “family” and “united." 

Grant says, “We all know what to do, and if we make mistakes, we all bring each other up.”

The longevity of the team has made a brotherhood. Players that are able to be there for each other, and more success that has created a special team whose goal is to win it all. Although there are still things that the team can work on to continue their dominance.  

Defensive Coordinator Cody Bartz says, “Preparation Monday through Thursday, I want to see them have more confidence and be able to make the right call and make the call without having to ask.” 

He also explains that they are smart players and has been challenging them to have trust in themselves and make the correct decisions are aspects of the team that can continue to be worked on to get big wins and their winning streak. 

Bartz says, “There is something replicative about these guys buying in wanting to be great; it takes commitment, and these guys are committed; there is no rocket science to it.”

The commitment has been displayed on the field week in and week out. With their winning streak, the Knights have shown what a dominant team they can be, with all of them trusting each other and themselves. 

Commitment, confidence, and chemistry are all important traits a team needs to be successful and grow. The season will continue, and the team will improve on things and reach each of their goals as long as the players execute at their positions.  

The team can take some much-needed rest on their bye week and then continue to work on their confidence, chemistry, and more in order to be the best team they possibly can be and prepare for their next matchup against Combs High School.