Markos Tsegaye is a Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com

SURPRISE – The Shadow Ridge Stallions had a chance to extend the overtime period against Mountain Ridge on Friday with a 23-yard field goal but were unable to do so, resulting in their eighth loss of the season on homecoming night, 24-21. 

Mountain Ridge coach Andy Johnson was proud of his team’s effort. 

“We just kept fighting back,” Johnson said. “Stuff didn’t always go our way, but we kept fighting for each other.”

Early in the first quarter, Shadow Ridge dropped a punt return and it was recovered by Mountain View senior cornerback Kody Halpine, who took the recovery all the way to the end zone to give the Mountain Lions the lead. 

Shadow Ridge responded with a touchdown with three seconds left in the quarter. On third-and-15, Shadow Ridge quarterback Talon Edwards found junior wide receiver Michael Cruz for a 28-yard touchdown. Edwards finished the game with 105 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Both offenses were held scoreless in the second quarter, making the score 7-7 at halftime.

Edwards said it took him some time before he was able to get into a rhythm as freshman quarterback Christian Normandin missed the game with a collarbone injury. 

In the third quarter, Mountain View junior quarterback Lukas Baughman found senior wide receiver Vince Norfolk wide open for an 8-yard passing touchdown. Baughman finished the game with 141 passing yards and one touchdown. 

Less than four minutes later, the Stallions responded again as Edwards scored on a 22-yard run  with 3:51 to go in the third quarter. After three quarters, the score was tied, 14-14. 

With just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Stallions fumbled  again after Edwards was sacked by Mountain Ridge. The ball was picked up by senior lineman Brody Hastings and returned to Shadow Ridge’s 5-yard line. 

The Mountain Lions scored on the next play when Norfolk scored his second touchdown on a 5-yard run. 

Norfolk said he wasn’t feeling too well going into the game but he was just looking to make the most out of every opportunity he had with the ball in his hands. He finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards. 

Then, senior running back Max Cauley scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown less than two minutes later. It was set up by senior running back Xavier Armenta’s 67-yard rush two plays prior.

Both teams were unable to score for the remainder of the quarter and the game went into overtime tied at 21. In overtime, both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball from the opposition's 10-yard line. 

Shadow Ridge’s defense held strong and limited Mountain Ridge to a field goal from senior kicker Brody Rainer, making the score 24-21. 

In the following possession, the Mountain Ridge defense stopped Shadow Ridge altogether as they missed the game-tying kick. Friday was Shadow Ridge’s first overtime game of the season. 

Shadow Ridge coach Michael Zdebski applauded his team’s competitiveness and in recent weeks as their last two games were lost by an average of four points. 

“They work hard every day and they’re a joy to be around,” Zdebski said. “I told them, ‘at some point, something’s got to go your way as long as you’re persistent in what you do.’”

Edwards said the offense has been gaining an understanding of what they need to do. He said the Stallions are close to earning their first win of the season. 

“We’re as close as you can be,” Edwards said. 

Shadow Ridge (0-8, 0-2) will host Boulder Creek (3-5, 3-0) next Friday at 7 p.m.

Mountain Ridge (3-5, 2-1) will host Goldwater (6-2, 3-0) next Friday at 7 p.m.