Coach Chris Horn left it to a freshman to win a championship, and he knew Ava Gonzales would deliver.

“She is going to win the game,” yelled Horn after calling a timeout as Gonzales trotted out with 53.5 left to attempt a 19-yard field goal at Chandler High.

Gonzales missed her only other field goal attempt in the game, but her second one made history. The freshman split the uprights, giving St. Mary’s a 10-7 win Saturday over Prescott in the inaugural 4A title game.

“I said a prayer that my Nana (Virginia Gonzales) gave me and totally calmed me down, and I just kicked it,” Ava said. “At first it looked low and said, ‘Shoot.’ And then I immediately started crying.”

St. Mary's kicker Ava Gonzales holds the prize her team won Saturday at Chandler High. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)As expected, a defensive battle ensued between the finalists, which shutout eight opponents each this season.

The teams didn’t score until the final minute of each half. St. Mary’s broke through first when Gwen Carter scored her team-leading 23rd touchdown after catching a pass from Giahni Ruiz on 4th and goal from the 3.

But Prescott had a trick up its sleeve just before the first half ended. It executed a 54-yard hook-and-ladder play from Brinkley Larson to Aubrey Kitahata to tie the game 7-7 with seven seconds left.

“It’s hard to go undefeated, because every single game everybody is motivated to beat you, and it’s hard to close out another undefeated team,” Horn said. “It was very clear that as soon as this game started these team were just going to go back and forth the whole game.”

Prescott (15-1) and St. Mary’s (14-0) entered the game as the top seeds and with defensive standouts.

Prescott’s Maggie Maneely had three interceptions in the final, giving her a state best 22 for the year. St. Mary’s Arianna Manning, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl MVP of the game, had three of her team’s four sacks, pushing her season total to 34.

Manning’s final sack came during Prescott’s final drive. Although they were first-year programs, St. Mary’s and Prescott boasted coaches with experience.

Ryan Hart runs the Gridiron Football League in Prescott, and Horn used to play for the Arizona Rattlers. Horn’s daughter, Frannie, recruited her dad to coach her team.

On Saturday, they not only celebrated a championship but Frannie’s birthday as well.

“It’s incredibly rare to coach your daughter in a varsity sport her senior year and win the state championship on her 18th birthday,” Horn said. “It’s incredible. The thing I can say is that it’s God beautiful providence, and I am grateful to be here.”

Prescott is losing only two seniors, so exepect it to contend for another title next season. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)